Naloxone

Question 1

What is naloxone?

Answer 1

Naloxone (400 microg/mL) is an opioid antagonist that prevents or reverses the effects of opioids including respiratory depression, sedation and hypotension. Naloxone antagonises the opioid effects by competing with the same receptor sites.

Undergoes hepatic metabolism

Onset: 3-5 min IM, 1-3 min IV
Duration: 60 min
Half-life: 60 min

Question 2

Indications for naloxone?

Answer 2

1. Respiratory depression (secondary to the administration of narcotic drugs)

Question 3

Contraindications for naloxone?

Answer 3

1. Allergy/ADR

2. The newly born patient

Question 4

Precautions for naloxone?

Answer 4

1. Use in caution on patients with pre-existing cardiac disease

Question 5

Side effects of naloxone?

Answer 5

1. Narcotic reversal can cause combativeness, vomiting, sweating, tachycardia & hypertension
2. May produce acute withdrawal convulsions in the chronic narcotic user
3. Pulmonary oedema

Question 6

What is the dose of naloxone for an adult?

Answer 6

1.6 mg IM

Single dose only

Question 7

What is the dose of naloxone for a paediatric?

Answer 7

20 microg/kg IM

Single dose only, not to exceed 800 microg