Reversal of overdose on fentanyl being illicitly sold as heroin with naloxone nasal spray: A case report.

BACKGROUND: This is a case report describing a reversal of fentanyl overdose with naloxone nasal spray. The patient was not aware that he overdosed on fentanyl being sold as heroin. METHODS: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has implemented an initiative to provide education for veterans, their families, friends and significant others about opioid overdose and use of naloxone reversal kits. The Atlanta VA Medical Center adopted this program to reduce the risk of opioid overdose in high risk patients. RESULTS: Over the past year, we provided educational sessions for 63 veterans and their families. We also prescribed 41 naloxone kits. We have received three reports of opioid overdose reversal with use of naloxone kits prescribed by the Atlanta VA Medical Center. CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: The authors recommend that public health administrators and policy makers advocate for the implementation of these programs to reduce the rising number of overdose death in the United States and worldwide.

Factors affecting noncompliance with buprenorphine maintenance treatment.

BACKGROUND: The current study aimed to identify risk factors for treatment noncompliance in a sample of veterans receiving buprenorphine/naloxone for an opioid use disorder. METHODS: Records from all patients who are currently or had previously been maintained on buprenorphine in the buprenorphine maintenance treatment program at the Atlanta VA Medical Center during the years 2006 to 2013 were evaluated. Of the 209 patients treated in the clinic between 2006 and 2013, 140 were excluded from the study because they did not have a call-back done at the time of data collection. Thus, 69 patient charts were selected for review. RESULTS: The multiple linear regression analysis of the predictable variables for noncompliance with the buprenorphine pill count showed that positive urine drug screen (UDS) for marijuana, benzodiazepines, and being a smoker (F = 3.08; P = 0.03) are significantly associated with noncompliance with buprenorphine pill count.Also, the multiple linear regression analysis of the predictable variables for noncompliance with the buprenorphine pill count showed that the psychiatric comorbidity independently (F = 4.88; P = 0.03) is significantly associated with noncompliance with buprenorphine pill count. CONCLUSIONS: Patients found to be noncompliant were more likely to suffer from comorbid psychiatric illness. Patients who tested positive for benzodiazepines or cannabis were more likely to be noncompliant with treatment. Although the rate of noncompliance (inaccurate pill count) was high, patients were still found to be taking their prescribed buprenorphine as evidenced by positive UDS for buprenorphine/norbuprenorphine. In addition, our sample had a high rate of negative UDS screens for opioids and cocaine.