Naloxone
Opioid receptor antagonist
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Key Takeaways
- Naloxone , sold under the brand name Narcan among others, is an opioid antagonist, a medication used to reverse or reduce the effects of opioids.
- Effects begin within two minutes when given intravenously, five minutes when injected into a muscle, and ten minutes as a nasal spray.
- Administration to opioid-dependent individuals may cause symptoms of opioid withdrawal, including restlessness, agitation, nausea, vomiting, a fast heart rate, and sweating.
- In those with previous heart disease or taking medications that negatively affect the heart, further heart problems have occurred.
- Naloxone is a non-selective and competitive opioid receptor antagonist.
Naloxone, sold under the brand name Narcan among others, is an opioid antagonist, a medication used to reverse or reduce the effects of opioids. For example, it is used to restore breathing after an opioid overdose. Effects begin within two minutes when given intravenously, five minutes when injected into a muscle, and ten minutes as a nasal spray. Naloxone blocks the effects of opioids for 30 to 90 minutes.
Administration to opioid-dependent individuals may cause symptoms of opioid withdrawal, including restlessness, agitation, nausea, vomiting, a fast heart rate, and sweating. To prevent this, small doses every few minutes can be given until the desired effect is reached. In those with previous heart disease or taking medications that negatively affect the heart, further heart problems have occurred. There is limited data on naloxone's safety during pregnancy. Naloxone is a non-selective and competitive opioid receptor antagonist. It reverses the depression of the central nervous system and respiratory system caused by opioids.
Naloxone was patented in 1961 and approved for opioid overdose in the United States in 1971. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.
Medical uses
Opioid overdose
Naloxone is useful in treating both acute opioid overdose and respiratory or mental depression due to opioids. Whether it is useful in those in cardiac arrest due to an opioid overdose is unclear.
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