naloxone

noun

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

In response, some building managers have restricted access to their bathrooms, tried design tweaks to discourage drug use or equipped their security guards with naloxone, the overdose-reversing medication. — John Keilman, chicagotribune.com, "Public bathrooms become clandestine epicenter of opioid crisis," 17 May 2018 Providing law enforcement in Kentucky with naloxone, a drug that can reverse overdoses, is a major expense for his office. — Washington Post, "States: Federal money for opioid crisis a small step forward," 25 Mar. 2018 New Hampshire policy makers are seizing on any sign that their efforts, such as a push to get naloxone into citizens’ hands, are bearing fruit. — Jon Kamp, WSJ, "Deaths Level Off—and Even Decline—in Some Opioid Hotspots," 31 Dec. 2018 States have handed out thousands of naloxone kits to first responders, schools, family members and drug users themselves. — Carla K. Johnson, The Seattle Times, "Q&A: Feds tackle opioid epidemic, but is it helping?," 28 Jan. 2019 Ohio has trumpeted more than $1 billion spent on policy efforts, including expanding naloxone access and painkiller-abuse prevention. — Jon Kamp, WSJ, "Deaths Level Off—and Even Decline—in Some Opioid Hotspots," 31 Dec. 2018 The tracking system, believed to be the first of its kind in California, collects the names and phone numbers of people who overdosed on opioids and who received the emergency overdose antidote naloxone from first responders. — Catherine Ho, San Francisco Chronicle, "Marin says new opioid overdose tracking program shows progress," 11 May 2018 Several legislators in Puerto Rico have been trying for more than two years to pass a measure that would in part allow non-medical and non-emergency personnel to administer naloxone, which can reverse respiratory failures from opioid overdoses. — Danica Coto, The Seattle Times, "Growing opioid crisis adds to Puerto Rico’s problems," 7 Jan. 2019 Law enforcement pursued a naked man running in the roadway, and administered the anti-overdose drug naloxone to a woman. — Joseph Clark, cleveland.com, "Resident finds neighbor's drugs: Olmsted Township Police Blotter," 1 May 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.

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12 Jun 2019

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The first known use of naloxone was in 1964

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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.