Opioid Cessation Medications Flashcards
Examples of Opioids
Heroin Morphine Hydromorphone Meperidine Oxycodone
What occurs the first few time opioids are used?
Intense vomiting
Nausea
Dysphoria
How long is the initial “rush” with continued opioid abuse?
Roughly 45 seconds
Prolonged sense of euphoria
Opioid Toxicity
Coma
Pinpoint pupils
Respiratory depression
What is the antidote for opioid toxicity?
Chemically-naloxone
Mechanically-ambu bag or mouth to mouth
Two main problems with using naloxone as treatment for opioid toxicity
- short half-life
2. pain/withdrawal
How often, if needed, must naloxone be readministered?
Every fews hours to prevent death in patients who earlier were rendered symptom free
What happens if a person quits cold-turkey?
It may feel absolutely terrible, but it is rarely lethal.
What symptoms accompany the first withdrawal stage?
- Yawning, rhinorrhea and sweating
What symptoms accompany the second withdrawal stage?
- Anorexia, irritability, tremors, and gooseflesh
What symptoms accompany the last withdrawal stage?
- Violent sneezing, weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bone and muscle pain, muscle spasms, and kicking movements
Methadone
Opioid agonist
Doses are gradually reduced
Should take about 10 days
Buprenorphine
Partial opioid agonist
Doses are gradually reduced
What leads to respiratory depression?
Opioid toxicity
