naloxone

noun nal·ox·one \ na-ˈläk-ˌsōn \

|Updated on: 21 Aug 2018

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.

Recent Examples of naloxone from the Web

The alert, warning people to arm themselves with the opioid antidote naloxone and warning users to be careful with drugs, was not the first sight of a surge in Hamilton County in recent weeks.

— terry demio, Cincinnati.com, "Overdoses surging in Hamilton County, public health issues alert," 11 July 2018
Robert Parsons rushed to equip his fellow officers with a lifesaving tool: the opioid antidote naloxone.

— max blau, STAT, "Donations of $4,500 overdose antidote were PR gold for drug maker — but some kits were close to expiring," 18 June 2018
The former president mentioned the work of the Clinton Foundation, which provides training and resources to communities fighting addiction and makes the opioid antidote naloxone more available to the public at a low cost.

— laura ungar, The Courier-Journal, "Former President Bill Clinton on the opioid crisis: 'Nobody gets out of this for free'," 5 Apr. 2018
Kaléo is offering the same deal to states outside the pilot program, but only to people who have individual prescriptions for naloxone.

— andy marso, kansascity, "Here's how Missourians can get free naloxone, the drug that stops an opioid overdose | The Kansas City Star," 5 Apr. 2018
Trump’s opioid commission in November recommended increasing access and resources for naloxone.

— Bloomberg.com, "Trump Gives Surprise Plug to Opioid Overdose Antidote Company," 20 Mar. 2018
Johnson said at a news conference Thursday that the village will put kits containing the nasal spray form of naloxone in libraries, park district buildings and Village Hall, among other places.

— john keilman, chicagotribune.com, "To combat opioid crisis, suburb will have overdose-reversing naloxone available in public places," 22 June 2018
In the past, naloxone has typically required a prescription.

— german lopez, Vox, "Surgeon general issues rare advisory: more people should carry opioid overdose antidote," 5 Apr. 2018
People who overdose on the synthetics may need multiple doses of naloxone, the drug that can reverse an overdose, the CDC added.

— maggie fox /, NBC News, "New synthetic opioids are killing even more people, CDC says," 11 July 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of naloxone

N-allyl + hydroxy- + -one

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1964

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

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 typically administered by injection 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.