Course Summary

The misuse of opioids is a serious public health problem in the United States. The number of deaths in the United States from acute overdose of opioids increased over the past decade and in two-thirds of the deaths from drug overdose have been reportedly due to the use of opioids. Ingestion of an opioid that is done to evade arrests and ingestion of sealed packages of opioids done to clandestinely carry large amounts of opioids has been reported. The pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, and treatment of acute opioid intoxication are discussed.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

• I.       Introduction
• II.       Overview of the National Crisis
• III.      Pharmacology of Opioids
  • 1.   Opioids Agonists and Antagonists
• IV.      Acute Opioid Overdose
  • 1.   Signs and Symptoms
• V.      Specific Opioids
  • 1.   Buprenorphine
  • 2.   Dextromethorphan
  • 3.   Loperamide
  • 4.   Methadone
  • 5.   Tramadol
• VI.      Physical Examination, Diagnostic and Screening Tests
  • 1.   Observation Time
  • 2.   Diagnostic and Screening Tests
• VII.     Treatment of Opioid Overdose
  • 1.   Airway Protection and Oxygen Therapy
  • 2.   Naloxone
  • 3.   Gastrointestinal Decontamination
• VIII.    Body Packing, Body Stuffing, and Ingested Fentanyl Patches
  • 1.   Body Packing
  • 2.   Ingested Fentanyl Patches
• IX.     Case Study: Opioid Overdose
•  X.     Summary