NALOXONE

It is an opioid antagonist and is competitive at opioid receptors. It antagonises endogenous or exogenous opioids. It reverses all their effects such as analgesia, respiratory depression, pupillary constriction, delayed gastric emptying, dysphoria, coma and convulsions.

Indications

Reversal of respiratory depression due to opioids and propoxyphene. Neonatal respiratory depression due to obstetric analgesia.

Dosage

Reversal of respiratory depression due to opioids and propxyphene: 0.4-2 mg IV, IM or SC every 2-3 mins. Post operative: 0.10.2 mg IV repeated as required. Neonatal respiratory depression due to obstetric analgesia: 10 mcg/kg IV, IM or SC.

Contra-Indications

Naloxone is contraindicated in individuals who are hypersensitive to naloxone or any components of the formulation. It should also be used with caution in patients with a known hypersensitivity to opioids, as precipitated withdrawal symptoms may occur.

Special Precautions

Special precautions should be taken when administering naloxone to patients with a history of cardiac disease or arrhythmias, as it may exacerbate these conditions. Naloxone should be used cautiously in pregnant women, as opioid withdrawal in the fetus may result in fetal distress.

Side Effects

Nausea, vomiting, Extreme hypertension (after large therapeutic dose of opioids and in addicts).

Drug Interactions

Severe hypertension during clonidine overdose reversal. Reverses alcohol intoxication. Enhances post operative analgesia with buprenorphine.