Q. Why has JRCALC removed the indication to give Naloxone in a confirmed cardiac arrest?
A. An ILCOR (International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation)/ERC (European Resuscitation Council) evidence review concluded that there is insufficient evidence to recommend any additional opioid-specific therapy in adult or paediatric cardiac arrest secondary to suspected opioid poisoning. The emphasis remains on immediate high-quality CPR and standard ALS.
Naloxone should be given for the reversal of acute opioid or opiate toxicity for respiratory depression or respiratory arrest with cardiac output.
There have been no randomized controlled trials evaluating naloxone (vs. placebo) for opioid-associated cardiac arrest to inform questions of benefit or harm. The existing literature is limited to observational data, with substantial risk of bias. JRCALC will review again when more evidence becomes available.
Naloxone should be given for the reversal of acute opioid or opiate toxicity for respiratory depression or respiratory arrest with cardiac output.
There have been no randomized controlled trials evaluating naloxone (vs. placebo) for opioid-associated cardiac arrest to inform questions of benefit or harm. The existing literature is limited to observational data, with substantial risk of bias. JRCALC will review again when more evidence becomes available.
Date Posted: 2026-09-01