In:
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 12, No. 2 ( 1997-06), p. 92-95
Abstract:
To measure blood levels of morphine and additional drugs in patients suspected of intravenous (IV) heroin abuse and to evaluate the effects of antidote treatment. Design: Prehospital blood sampling in 52 patients. Results: Forty-five patients were blood-positive for heroin, eight of whom were hospitalized. Forty-one patients also had abused additional drugs: minor tranquilizers, ethanol, amphetamine, cocaine, and/or carbamazepine. Seven patients had taken either only methadone or ketobemidione: one was admitted. Treatment with increasing doses of naloxone indicated a necessity for hospitalization. Six of 14 patients treated with naloxone (1.8 mg were hospitalized. Seven patients had an extremely high blood level of morphine (0.2 mg/kg), that could be reverted with naloxone in moderate doses. Conclusion: This study indicates that under prehospital conditions, it is difficult to identify a patient intoxicated only with intravenous heroin. Nearly all patients treated were cases of multiple drug/alcohol overdoses. Even the symptoms associated with extremely high blood levels of morphine could be reversed with naloxone in moderate doses.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1049-023X
,
1945-1938
DOI:
10.1017/S1049023X00037481
Language:
English
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication Date:
1997
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2162069-6
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