A Pilot Assessment of Caregivers’ and Patients’ Perception of Naloxone Coprescribing in a Pediatric Sickle Cell Population

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this survey was to evaluate knowledge and perception of naloxone among patients with sickle cell disease and their caregivers. METHODS A 13-question survey about naloxone and the subject’s perception of naloxone was developed by the research team and reviewed by 5 advocates for pediatric patients with sickle cell disease. The survey was offered to patient-caregivers and patients ≥12 years old with sickle cell disease and a prescription for home opioid medication. The survey was conducted during a clinic visit or inpatient admission with a convenience sampling strategy. RESULTS A total of 23 surveys were completed (9 patients and 14 caregivers). Nine of 23 subjects (40%) said they had heard of naloxone. Three subjects had naloxone at home. Only 3 caregivers said having naloxone at home would change their opioid use behavior. CONCLUSION There is a lack of awareness about naloxone in the pediatric sickle cell disease population. Those who were aware of naloxone did feel it was an important medication and appeared to have a positive view of it.