naloxone

nal·ox·one | \ na-ˈläk-ˌsōn

Definition of naloxone

: 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 That could mean having access to naloxone, Canning said, or even using drugs in the presence of first responders or others who can monitor users’ reactions. — Lydia Gerike, courant.com, "Three more overdose deaths in Hartford bring week’s total to 10 as count runs far ahead of last year’s," 10 June 2019 More naloxone is likely prescribed in places where more people are using opioids and where policies increase access. — NBC News, "Boom in overdose-reversing drug is tied to fewer opioid deaths," 6 Aug. 2019 More naloxone is likely prescribed in places where more people are using opioids and where policies increase access. — Mike Stobbe, Fortune, "Drug Overdose Deaths— Opioids Included—Fell for the First Time in Three Decades. Here’s Why," 6 Aug. 2019 Many police departments visit the homes of people who survive overdoses to offer information about treatment and often provide naloxone. — BostonGlobe.com, "Mass. to open monitoring centers for drug users who overdose - The Boston Globe," 25 Dec. 2019 In Michigan, the System for Opioid Overdose Surveillance processes data from medical examiners and from EMS encounters in which overdose-reversing naloxone was administered. — Washington Post, "To battle opioid crisis, some track overdoses in real time," 23 Dec. 2019 Its director, Will Becker, routinely offers buprenorphine-naloxone to patients to help trim their opioid use. — Claudia Wallis, Scientific American, "How to Break the Bonds of Opioids," 20 Dec. 2019 Critics say Nyxoid's price is excessive, particularly when inexpensive naloxone products already exist. — Anchorage Daily News, "Sackler-owned opioid maker pushes overdose treatment abroad," 16 Dec. 2019 Critics say Nyxoid’s price is excessive, particularly when inexpensive naloxone products already exist. — Kristen Gelineau, The Denver Post, "Purdue Pharma’s foreign affiliate now selling overdose cure," 15 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'naloxone.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

6 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Naloxone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naloxone. Accessed 19 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for naloxone

naloxone

noun

nal·ox·one | \ nal-ˈäk-ˌsōn

, ˈnal-ək-ˌsōn

Medical Definition of naloxone

: 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.