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

But the death rate from drug overdoses has been declining, a trajectory researchers have attributed to changes in drug supply, greater accessibility of treatment and more widespread use of the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone. —Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026

By 2023, county officials became alarmed at the nonprofit’s handling of the contracts and of the naloxone itself, some of which was being stored outdoors in 100-degree heat at Stamos-Buesig’s home — a condition that can render the medication ineffective. —Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026

Today, parents leaving the hospital with their new baby are given naloxone and education. —Kaylin Klie, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2026

The team also follows up after an overdose to provide education, naloxone and fentanyl test strips without police. —Ari Fife, The Frontier, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

N-allyl + hydroxy- + -one

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for naloxone

• atony
• baloney
• begone
• canzone
• estrone
• fanconi
• mansoni
• moloney
• morone
• ngoni
• pallone
• quinone

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.