Researchers have reported a promising new device that could one day help prevent fatal overdoses. This small implant, placed under the skin and powered by a battery, is designed to detect the signs of an overdose in real time. When it does, it automatically releases naloxone, an emergency medication, directly into the bloodstream to reverse the overdose. At the same time, the device alerts first responders, giving the person a much better chance of survival. This advancement, detailed in Science Advances on October 23, could be a vital tool in combating overdose fatalities by offering immediate, life-saving intervention.
In 2023, nearly 130,000 people died worldwide due to opioid overdoses. Opioid is a drug that mimics the substances found in opium poppy plants and it produces various effects on the brain, the most widely known one being pain relief. Opioid overdoses can cause people to die quickly if the administration of naloxone is non-existent. Side effects of opioids include respiratory depression, constipation, nausea, and euphoria. Long-term use can cause tolerance, which means that increased doses are required to achieve the same effect, and physical dependence, meaning that suddenly discontinuing the drug causes unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
Researchers are hopeful that the Naloximeter implant could provide critical support for people at the highest risk of overdose: individuals who have recently achieved sobriety, either through treatment or following incarceration. During the first few months after a period of sobriety, the body’s tolerance to opioids significantly decreases, leaving people far more vulnerable to fatal overdoses. In fact, during this time, their risk of overdose death can be 10 to 16 times higher than it is later in recovery. By offering an immediate, life-saving response, the Naloximeter could be especially valuable for helping people navigate this challenging period safely.
Harm reduction strategies like safe injection sites and hotlines have long been important tools to prevent overdose deaths. However, new technology offers promising options for when no one else is around to help. Until now, devices and apps could only monitor someone’s condition and alert responders in an emergency, which can sometimes be too late. The Naloximeter takes things a step further: it’s the first device that can not only alert responders but also deliver life-saving treatment immediately within the critical time frame when an overdose can still be reversed. “That’s where this really stands out compared to other interventions,” says Monty Ghosh, an addiction researcher at the University of Alberta, who wasn’t involved in the study.
The Naloximeter monitors oxygen levels in the blood, tracking how quickly they drop and how low they go to detect an overdose. In a human version, the device would send an alert to the person’s phone if an overdose is detected, allowing them to confirm if it’s a false alarm: If there’s no response, the implant would automatically release naloxone.
To determine the best way to administer naloxone, Gereau and his team tested two methods in animals. In trials with pigs, the most effective approach was using an intravenous catheter, similar to a port for cancer treatments, integrated directly into the implant. This setup allowed for a quick dose of 0.7 milliliters of naloxone within just 60 seconds — enough to begin reversing the effects of an overdose according to Joanna Ciatti, a materials scientist at Northwestern University.
Though demonstrated specifically in the context of opioid overdose, the Naloximeter platform is not limited to this disease paradigm and can be adapted to treat other emergency rescue scenarios with rapid PK demands like anaphylaxis or epilepsy.
Deaths due to overdose usage of drugs remain a significant topic that is unfortunately not commonly discussed. The number of deaths due to overdose increases as the years pass. Although concerns about ethical issues and human use remain, researchers agree that this implant is an exciting innovation that could help save numerous people’s lives one day. Researchers continue to work on the device to provide the most effective and safe version of it for people.
Edited by: Ömer Gökce, Oya Yamaç