| Summary: | Opioid overdose can induce acute respiratory and central nervous system depression that may lead to death. Recently the numbers of opioid-related deaths or hospitalizations have increased in Canada and there is an ongoing opioid crisis. Naloxone, a medication that temporarily blocks the effects of opioids, has been advocated for a wider use in the communities. Naloxone works by competing for opioid receptors with opioids and remains active in the body for 20 to 90 minutes, shorter than most opioids. Without opioids, naloxone has little pharmacologic activity. Data from noncomparative studies suggest that naloxone use in a home or community setting for opioid overdose is associated with a low mortality rate. In Canada, take-home naloxone kits are available at most pharmacies without a prescription and are free in some provinces. This report aims to update a previous CADTH review on the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the administration of naloxone in a home or community setting, as well as to identify evidence-based guidelines for its use
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