naloxone

noun nal·ox·one \ na-ˈläk-ˌsōn \

Updated on: 18 Apr 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 cost of naloxone, also known by the brand names Narcan and Evzio, can vary.

— laura ungar, The Courier-Journal, "Where can you get naloxone?," 5 Apr. 2018
Fentanyl is so powerful that emergency responders have often had to use multiple doses of naloxone to revive people who overdosed on it.

— abby goodnough, New York Times, "Surgeon General Urges Americans to Carry Drug That Stops Opioid Overdoses," 5 Apr. 2018
Gahler said another encouraging sign in Harford’s battle against opioid abuse is recent statistics on the use of naloxone, which is administered to someone overdosing to counter the effects of an opioid overdose.

— erika butler, The Aegis, "Harford overdoses increasing at lower rates," 28 Mar. 2018
Greg Hayes, a member of the volunteer ambulance company in Canton, described the symptoms of a drug overdose and explained how to administer naloxone.

— ken byron, Courant Community, "Canton Officials Present Information Session On Opioid Epidemic," 23 Mar. 2018
At least 45 states and the District of Columbia allow naloxone -- the generic name for Narcan -- to be obtained without a prescription.

— Bloomberg.com, "Trump Gives Surprise Plug to Opioid Overdose Antidote Company," 20 Mar. 2018
Cities enduring the deaths, disease, crime and cost of drug epidemics have taken the lead in handing out free needles and distributing the overdose antidote naloxone - sometimes after legal battles.

— Anchorage Daily News, "At the heart of Canada's fentanyl crisis, extreme efforts that US cities may follow," 12 Feb. 2018
To prevent these deaths, there needs to be improved access to naloxone (Narcan), the lifesaving overdose-reversing medication, said Dr. Sandeep Kapoor.

— dennis thompson, chicagotribune.com, "'It's getting exponentially worse': Fentanyl behind latest spike in opioid overdose deaths," 29 Mar. 2018
Emergency department data can serve as early-warning systems to flag changes in overdoses and respond to them such as by increasing supplies of the overdose-reversal drug naloxone, the study concluded.

— bruce henderson, charlotteobserver, "Opioid overdoses in NC are rising faster than in the rest of Southeast, ER data shows | Charlotte Observer," 28 Mar. 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

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.