Contents:
Guidelines for the use of naloxone in palliative care in adult patients
Scope of the guideline
This guideline provides information about the use of naloxone, an opioid antagonist, in the palliative patient who is receiving prescribed opioid medication in the clinical setting. The use of naloxone in this clinical situation is with the intent of reversing opioid-induced respiratory depression which is immediately life-threatening (i.e. requires intervention to prevent death from opioids rather than disease).
- It is not intended to cover the management of acute opioid overdose.
- It is not intended to cover alternative use/indications of naloxone in the palliative care setting.
- It does not cover administration in the patient’s home environment.
Disclaimer
These Guidelines are intended for use by healthcare professionals and the expectation is that they will use clinical judgement, medical, and nursing knowledge in applying the general principles and recommendations contained within. They are not meant to replace the many available texts on the subject of palliative care.
Some of the management strategies describe the use of drugs outside their licensed indications. They are, however, established and accepted good practice. Please refer to the current BNF for further guidance.
Whilst SPAGG takes every care to compile accurate information , we cannot guarantee its correctness and completeness, and it is subject to change. We do not accept responsibility for any loss, damage or expense resulting from the use of this information.