Opioid Overdose: What Every Family Physician Needs to Know

Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl were involved in more than 80% of US opioid overdose deaths in 2021, and deaths from fentanyl combined with stimulants are rising sharply. In this CME Bulletin, Lee Radosh, MD, FAAFP, FASAM, gives family physicians practical guidance on:

  • identifying patients at risk
  • recognizing the signs of overdose
  • reversing overdose with naloxone and nalmefene, including when fentanyl or adulterants such as xylazine are involved
  • moving patients on to long-term, FDA-approved treatment for opioid use disorder, including extended-release injectable buprenorphine

The activity also covers barriers such as stigma and limited access to care, and how harm reduction and community programs can help.

Target Audience

Healthcare Professionals

Learning Objectives

  • Increase knowledge in recognizing the signs and symptoms of opioid overdose, particularly those associated with synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, to enhance early intervention and improve patient outcomes.
  • Demonstrate competence in transitioning from acute overdose management to long-term opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment using FDA-approved medications, including new pharmacological approaches such as extended-release injectable partial opioid receptor agonists/antagonists.
  • Increase competence and confidence in addressing barriers to effective opioid overdose response and treatment, such as stigma and limited access to care, by integrating harm reduction strategies and collaborating with community-based programs.

Activity Disclosure

This educational activity is supported by an independent medical educational grant from Indivior.

Course summary

Available credit: 
  • 1.00 Enduring Materials, Self-Study AAFP Prescribed credit(s)
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
Course opens: 
10/06/2025
Course expires: 
10/05/2026
Cost:
$0.00
Rating: 
0
Lee Radosh, MD, FAAFP, FASAM

Lee Radosh, MD, FAAFP, FASAM

Chief, Section of Addiction Medicine, Reading Hospital, Reading, PA

Lee Radosh, MD, FAAFP, FASAM has nothing to disclose.

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

John Wiley and Sons, Inc. and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) designates this journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and/or 1.00 Enduring Materials, Self-Study AAFP Prescribed credit(s). Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. For information on applicability and acceptance of continuing medical education credit for this activity, please consult your professional licensing board.

This activity is designed to be completed within 1 hour and complete the activity during the valid credit period, which is up to one year from initial publication. Additionally, up to 3 attempts and a score of 70% or higher is needed to pass the post-test and claim credit. You will need to log into your Wiley Health Learning account (registration is free) to complete this activity and earn a certificate.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 Enduring Materials, Self-Study AAFP Prescribed credit(s)
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™

Price

Cost:
$0.00
Please login or register to take this course.