naloxone

noun

nal·​ox·​one na-ˈläk-ˌsōn 

: a synthetic potent antagonist of narcotic drugs (such as morphine and fentanyl) that is administered especially in the form of its hydrochloride C₁₉H₂₁NO₄·HCl

Note: Naloxone is administered by injection or as a nasal spray to reverse the effects of opioids especially in the emergency treatment of opioid overdose. It is also administered in combination with buprenorphine in the form of a dissolvable tablet placed under the tongue or a film placed inside the cheek to treat opioid dependence.

Examples of naloxone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Academics, inmates and their advocates suggest scanning jail workers for drugs, providing a ready supply of the opioid-blocking naloxone nasal spray, ensuring inmates go through intake in a more private area, performing more frequent checks of inmates, and instituting local oversight boards. —Calmatters, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024

State and federal legislators have introduced legislation to require schools carry naloxone, and the Biden administration encouraged schools at the end of last year to keep the medication on-hand and teach staff how to use it. —CBS News, 22 Mar. 2024

Narcan, the nasal spray version of naloxone, has received F.D.A. approval to be sold over the counter and should be widely available by late summer. —Mike Baker, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2024

The standards also recommend the use of gloves, a respirator, a fume hood, and the availability of naloxone. —Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2024

Over 2,000 doses of naloxone have been distributed across these events; last September, one was used to resuscitate someone at a concert (not Illenium’s) in Kansas City, Mo. —Katie Bain, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2024

At a Wednesday legislative hearing, Vander Woude cited a recent raid of the Idaho Harm Reduction Project, an organization that offers needle exchange services, HIV testing and naloxone — an overdose reversal medication — at offices in Boise and Caldwell. —Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 22 Feb. 2024

The opioid antidote naloxone was administered twice, according to city data. —Jenna Portnoy, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2024

It was credited with saving more than 600 people with naloxone. —The Enquirer, 3 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

N-allyl + hydroxy- + -one

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

naloxone

noun

nal·​ox·​one nal-ˈäk-ˌsōn  ˈnal-ək-ˌsōn 

: a potent synthetic antagonist of narcotic drugs (as morphine and fentanyl) that is administered especially in the form of its hydrochloride C₁₉H₂₁NO₄·HCl

Note: Naloxone is administered by injection or as a nasal spray to reverse the effects of opioids and especially in the emergency treatment of opioid overdose. It is also administered in combination with buprenorphine in the form of a dissolvable tablet placed under the tongue or a film placed inside the cheek to treat opioid dependence. Trademarks for preparations containing naloxone include Bunavail, Evzio, Narcan, Suboxone, and Zubsolv.