Opioid/Narcotic Antagonists Flashcards
What is naloxone?
Opioid receptor antagonist
Inhibits CNS depressant effects caused by narcotics
What is the primary use of naloxone?
To treat symptoms caused by opioid overdoses and prevent relapse behaviors for alcohol and opioids
Naloxone is effective in reversing the effects of opioid overdose.
What is Suboxone composed of?
Buprenorphine and naloxone
Suboxone is a combination of a partial opioid agonist (buprenorphine) and an opioid antagonist (naloxone).
How does buprenorphine’s lipid solubility affect its absorption?
Highly lipid soluble, easily absorbed across sublingual membranes
This property allows buprenorphine to be effective when taken sublingually.
Why does naloxone have a clinical effect only when abused?
Poor absorption across membranes under the tongue and G-I system
Naloxone is almost completely insoluble when taken sublingually.
What happens to naloxone’s effect when Suboxone is injected?
Naloxone’s effect is no longer impeded by low oral and sublingual absorption
Injection can produce opioid antagonistic actions similar to naloxone alone.
What is naltrexone (Vivitrol)?
Opioid receptor antagonist
Inhibits CNS depressant effects caused by narcotics.
What is the recommended dose of VIVITROL?
380 mg, delivered intramuscularly once a month
VIVITROL is an extended-release formulation of naltrexone that delivers medication continuously over a one-month period.
What is the duration of protection provided by extended-release formulations of naltrexone?
Up to one month
Extended-release naltrexone can protect against opioid exposure for 4 weeks.
What is the primary use of pure opioid antagonists like naltrexone?
To treat symptoms resulting from an opioid use disorder, more for maintenance to prevent relapse after detox
Pure opioid antagonists block opioid receptors and do not produce analgesia or addiction.
True or False: Buprenorphine can be abused like other opioids.
True
However, naloxone is added to buprenorphine to prevent injectable exploitation.
