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

Because xylazine overdoses don’t fully respond to naloxone, physicians and emergency medical technicians should be prepared to keep patients stable in the field for longer periods of time — ensuring their breathing and providing supplemental oxygen if necessary. —Lilia Pacheco Bufanda, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025

People try to never use fentanyl alone and often carry naloxone or Narcan to reverse overdoses. —Brian Mann, NPR, 24 Mar. 2025

Narcan, a common brand of naloxone, has been available in Chicago Public Libraries since 2022. —Ismael M. Belkoura, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025

Public awareness of its dangers and the distribution of naloxone, a medication that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose, have been credited as reasons for the drop. —Kate Bolduan, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025

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.