Naloxone prescriptions reduced emergency department use among individuals at high risk of opioid overdose.

Background

Despite a decrease in opioid prescribing in recent years, opioid overdose deaths remain high. Naloxone is an effective method to reverse opioid overdoses and can be administered in various settings by providers and individuals with no clinical training. This study measured the impact of co-prescribing naloxone to high-risk patients in the Military Health System on visits to the emergency department (ED). 

Findings

Health system claims were used to compare ED visit rates among individuals who were dispensed naloxone alongside an opioid prescription versus those who only received opioids. Individuals were classified as high risk if they had long-term opioid use, high prescription dosages, or a history of overdose or behavioral health diagnosis. Individuals in the naloxone group had a 26% reduction in ED visits within 60 days of receiving their prescriptions. Hospitalization rates were also measured between the two groups, but there was no significant difference.

Program/Policy Takeaways

Dispensing naloxone alongside opioid prescriptions can help reduce ED visits among individuals at high risk of overdose. Providers and health systems can use these findings to identify opportunities to screen individuals for overdose risk factors and incorporate naloxone co-prescribing into clinical workflows.