Cancer Patients Received Naloxone for Opioid Overdose Symptoms: A Case Series

Abstract

Introduction: Naloxone administration is considered for severe overdose symptoms during opioid administration. However, the actual status of naloxone administration during cancer pain treatment is unclear. Objective: To explore the frequency of patients who received naloxone for opioid overdose symptoms and the factors associated with naloxone administration. Methods: A retrospective study, naloxone use was selected from cancer patients receiving opioids at our hospital from 2014–2022, excluding those undergoing surgery or after tests and procedures. The type of opioid used, route of administration, dose and naloxone administration method, dose, and post-administration response were examined. Results: 18 patients (0.10%) were extracted, opioids at the time of naloxone administration were 81.6 (21–750) mg/day of oral morphine equivalent, and patient status (with duplicates) were: 8 patients with impaired renal function, 7 patients with clinical prognostic weeks, 4/3 patients after opioid change/increase. Discussion: Patients treated with naloxone are more likely to have impaired renal function, terminal stage, and after opioid change/increase, which may be risk factors that require attention for the emergence of overdose symptoms.