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

In the face of the fentanyl crisis, the mainstay of harm reduction has been the distribution in vulnerable communities of naloxone. —Albert Chern, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026

The agency urges use of fentanyl testing in combination with other steps to mitigate harm such as never using drugs alone and not mixing different drugs, as well as always keeping the overdose reversal medication naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, on hand and at home. —Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026

This is different than treatments like naloxone, which reverse the effects after an overdose. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026

But fatal overdoses declined sharply in 2023 and 2024, as the Biden team raced to expand access to opioid-treatment medications, including buprenorphine and naloxone. —Brian Mann, NPR, 31 Dec. 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.