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

San Diego County has canceled a multimillion-dollar contract to distribute naloxone, a nasal spray that can reverse opioid overdoses, at a critical time for addiction services. —Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 2025

And so, most EMTs, paramedics, and medical directors have not learned that there are extremely effective treatments—buprenorphine, methadone, and naloxone—for treating opioid addiction and preventing fatal overdoses. —Melody Glenn july 23, Literary Hub, 23 July 2025

Narcan, meanwhile, is another name for naloxone, an opioid antagonist that works rapidly to reverse an overdose by attaching to opioid receptors and reversing and blocking the effects of other opioids, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. —Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 16 July 2025

Multiple studies have shown, on the contrary, that naloxone reduces overdose mortality. —Jesse Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 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.