ABC of poisoning: opioids (original) (raw)

The paper discusses the intricacies and risks associated with opioid poisoning and the administration of naloxone as a treatment. It highlights the potential adverse effects of naloxone, including the risk of precipitating acute withdrawal syndromes in addicts and cardiovascular complications such as ventricular fibrillation. The authors advocate for the cautious use of naloxone, emphasizing the need for careful cardiovascular monitoring and considering adjunctive medications like clonidine or lofexidine to mitigate some risks.