naloxone hydrochloride

A drug that opposes the action of opioids. It is used to treat overdosage with opioids and also to reverse the depression of breathing caused by the use of opioid analgesics during surgery. Naloxone is available as an injection or intravenous infusion on prescription only.

Side effects:
nausea and vomiting, an increase in heart rate, and abnormal heartbeats may occur.

Precautions:
naloxone should be used with caution in patients who are physically dependent on opioids, who have cardiovascular disease, or who are receiving other drugs that can have adverse effects on the heart. When given after surgery, the dosage should be calculated to reverse the respiratory effects of the opioids without interfering with their pain-relieving effects.

Proprietary preparations:
Minijet Naloxone; Suboxone (combined with buprenorphine hydrochloride); Targinact (combined with oxycodone).

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