intramuscular and intranasal administration techniques are effective( Roberts & Vohra, 2024). However, various sources indicate that intramuscular administration is preferred, as intranasal administration is not usable when nasal passages are blocked( Dietze et al., 2019). The condition of the patient and what supplies are available determine which administration route a patient who has overdosed receives.
Several clinical trials have been conducted to determine the most effective way to administer naloxone. Research shows that any source is acceptable if it delivers the drug into the body; intranasal administration is an affordable and accessible option for many( Gufford et al., 2017).
As the drug epidemic continues to escalate in the United States, having a fast, easy, accessible, and reliable form of naloxone is important. The use of intranasal naloxone has been significant in responding to the increased drug epidemic. Intranasal naloxone, administered over time intervals, increases a person’ s chance of survival. A simulation study by Strauss et al.( 2024) was performed to test the effectiveness of continuous intranasal naloxone administration at different time intervals. The study found that administering repeat doses of intranasal naloxone increased the medication ' s effectiveness by increasing the total amount absorbed into the body( Strauss et al., 2024). The more naloxone that is absorbed by the body, the more effective it is in reversing the overdose, ultimately giving a higher chance of saving the patient ' s life( Strauss et al., 2024).
Future Research
We would like to see more research evaluating the effectiveness of different naloxone administration techniques. This research could be further explored by implementing different techniques across healthcare settings and evaluating their effectiveness-for example, giving first responders the option of administering intramuscular or intranasal naloxone in the field. The main issue we see with this is running into a time predicament. When first responders arrive on the scene, they assess and work fast. They may not have time to find the medication, draw up the dose, and administer it. Could the intermuscular dosage be in a prefilled syringe?
A drug overdose is serious; finding individuals for studies with naloxone can be a challenge. As the drug epidemic continues, more technology and research will be available to help those in need. Naloxone needs to be part of the equation when helping those with a drug overdose. Overall, the route of naloxone is dependent on where the patient is, what route is available, and how long the patient has been overdosing.
Best Practice
Through our research and interviews, we found that intramuscular naloxone injections are rarely used in the community and are typically administered only in a hospital setting. Intranasal naloxone is used primarily in field operations by emergency medical technicians, firefighters, and police officers. Intravenous Naloxone is primarily used in the hospital, as it is easier to control and can deliver a steady dose to the patient.
Most published studies have focused on intramuscular versus intranasal administration of naloxone. In their findings, researchers have concluded that intramuscular injection is the more effective. However, the main routes of administration for naloxone are intravenous and intranasal. Nevertheless, any source of naloxone is a good source when it comes to a drug overdose. Time is life in these situations, and naloxone is needed fast.
References
Campbell, N. D.( 2019). Naloxone as a technology of solidarity: History of opioid overdose prevention. CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal, 191( 34), E945 – E946. https:// doi. org / 10.1503 / cmaj. 190257
Dietze, P., Jauncey, M., Salmon, A., Mohebbi, M., Latimer, J., van Beek, I., McGrath, C., & Kerr, D.( 2019). Effect of intranasal vs intramuscular naloxone on opioid overdose: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Network Open, 2( 11), e1914977. https:// doi. org / 10.1001 / jamanetworkopen. 2019.14977
Gufford, B. T., Ainslie, G. R., White, J. R., Jr, Layton, M. E., Padowski, J. M., Pollack, G. M., & Paine, M. F.( 2017). Comparison of a new intranasal naloxone formulation to intramuscular naloxone: Results from hypothesis-generating small clinical studies. Clinical and Translational Science, 10( 5), 380 – 386. https:// doi. org / 10.1111 / cts. 12473
April / May 2026 33