Poisoning Flashcards
What is the only indication for naloxone?
The treatment of opioid toxicity associated with respiratory and/or neurological depression.
How does naloxone work?
Naloxone binds to opioid receptors (particularly the pharmacologically-important opioid mu-receptors) where it acts as a competitive antagonist.
It has little or no effect in the absence of an exogenous opioid.
However, if an opioid is present, naloxone displaces it from its receptors and, in so doing, it reverses its effects.
In opioid toxicity, this is used to restore an adequate level of consiousness and respiratory rate.
What are the important adverse effects of naloxone?
Where naloxone is administered to reverse opioid toxicity in an opioid-dependent individual, an opioid withdrawal reaction may be precipitated.
This presents with pain (if the opioid was being taken for its analgesic effect), restlessnes, nausea and vomiting, dilated pupils, and cold, dry skin with piloerection (cold turkey).
Naloxone has no other significant adverse effects.
