Adverse Events During Treatment Induction With Injectable Diacetylmorphine and Hydromorphone for Opioid Use Disorder

Original research
by
Oviedo-Joekes, Eugenia et al

Release Date

2019

Geography

Canada

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Yes

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Yes

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

Describes a 3-day induction protocol for injectable hydromorphone (HDM) and diacetylmorphine (DAM) used in 3 Canadian studies and examine rates of opioid-related overdose and somnolence during this induction phase.

Findings/Key points

With data from 3 Canadian studies, encompassing a total of 2993 induction injections, there were only 5 related opioid overdoses that required naloxone (4 with DAM, 1 with HDM). As expected, the rate per injection day was higher for adverse events and severe adverse events during induction compared to after induction. However, all overdose events were safely treated onsite and there were no deaths or other lasting sequelae of these events. These data confirm the overall safety of iOAT during both induction and later treatment.

Design/methods

Data from 2 clinical trials and one cohort study

Keywords

Clinical guidance
Evidence base
Harm reduction
Safer supply
About prescribers
Outcomes
Substitution/OAT
Injecting drugs