Opioid Crisis: The Use of Opioid Antagonists in Preventing Opioid Overdose-Related Deaths
Disease State Management/Drug Therapy CE for Pharmacist & Pharmacy Techs
Monograph
Course Summary
Opioid-related overdose deaths make up three-fourths of all overdose deaths in the United States. In order to reduce the number of deaths, efforts must be made to save patients who overdose on opioids. Naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist, is the most effective medication to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Naloxone is available in several formulations to facilitate efficient, timely administration. Increasing access to naloxone, so it is readily available when needed, is vital to combating the opioid crisis.
Identify risk factors for opioid overdose
Compare the indications for naloxone, nalmefene, and naltrexone in opioid use disorder
Apply strategies for preventing opioid overdose
Explain interprofessional team opportunities for educating patients regarding opioid overdose
Course Syllabus
- Introduction
- Overview of the Opioid Crisis
- Main Reasons for Opioid Misuse
- A Brief Overview of Appropriate Opiate Use Indications
- Opioid Use Dependence and Addiction
- Risk Factors for Opioid Overdose
- Patient Demographics
- Mental Health Diagnoses
- Substance Use Disorders
- Medical Comorbidities
- Opioid Prescription Characteristics
- Insurance
- Reduced Tolerance and Other Factors
- Mechanisms and Symptoms of Opioid Overdose
- Prevention of Opioid Overdose
- Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)
- Responsible Prescribing of Opioids
- Treating Opioid Overdose with Opioid Antagonists
- Naloxone for Suspected Opioid Overdose
- Nalmefene: A Novel Opioid Antagonist for Overdose Reversal and Alcohol Management
- Naltrexone and Overdose Reversal
- Co-Prescribing Recommendation
- Barriers to Preventing Prescription Opioid Overdoses
- Overcoming Barriers
- What can Physicians and Physician Assistants do to Reduce Prescription Opioid Overdoses?
- What can Nurses do to Reduce Prescription Opioid Overdoses?
- What can Pharmacy Teams do to Reduce Prescription Opioid Overdoses?
- Patient Case
- Naloxone Executive Clinical Summary
- Read the course objectives and faculty planner disclosure
- Read the course material
- Complete the post-test with a minimum score of 70% and complete the course evaluation form.
- Results are automatically submitted to CPE Monitor
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: Sandra Rogers, MD; Becca Resnik, RN; Steven Malen, PharmD, MBA; and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. None of the faculty members has a conflict of interest or financial relationship related to the subject matter of this activity, except that Becca Resnik discloses that she is an independent contractor (Translator/Engineer, 08/12/2024 to present) for Johnson & Johnson, Zuchwil, Switzerland, and DePuy Synthes. Any relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.
Unlabeled Use Disclosures
The information provided in this course is general in nature, and it is designed solely to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant's professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals must consult their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization for guidelines, protocols, and procedures to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures, but is for academic purposes only, and this course's limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses is constantly changing. Any person taking this course understands that such a person must make an independent review of medication information before any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only, and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course or course material.
Computer Hardware/Software Requirements
Please ensure the device you plan to use meets these requirements and specifications:
- Operating System: Windows 7,8,10, or 11 /Mac OS X 10.9 or later/iOS/Android
- Supported Browsers: Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Opera
- A connection to the internet
- For Live Webinars or Conferences: GoToWebinar application for iOS, Android, Mac, or PC. You cannot 'call into' a live conference.
- Target Audience: Pharmacist, Pharmacy Tech
- Secondary Audiences: This educational activity is also for other healthcare professionals, such as nurses, physicians, or others who may be part of a healthcare team and may be interested in this educational topic. A healthcare team approach to patient care may be discussed in this activity, as applicable. No state board or professional organization has evaluated this activity to determine whether it meets the continuing education requirements of nurses, physicians, or other professions not listed under the “Target Audience” described above. Always verify with individual employers or supervisors whether they will accept this educational activity upon completion.
- Contact Hours: 3.00 (0.30 CEUs)
- Activity Release Date: 2/7/2026
- Activity Expiration Date: 2/7/2029
- Activity Type: Knowledge and Application
- UAN: JA4008424-0000-26-015-H01-P
- Topic: Disease State Management/Drug Therapy
- UAN Number: (Techs): JA4008424-0000-26-015-H01-T
- CeBroker Number: 20-1356558
Faculty:
RxCe.com, LLC is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.
RxCe.com, LLC, offers pharmacy technician continuing education courses for PTCB recertification. Pharmacy technician courses are indicated both in the Target Audience description and the ACPE UAN which will end with a "T".