When injected intramuscularly (IM), naloxone acts within three to five minutes. Frequently also carried by medical and emergency personnel and at events known to be associated with heavy drug use like music festivals, naloxone kits are considered a key component of harm reduction strategies. 15 Kits commonly include the supplies necessary to treat an overdose in a non-medical setting such as alcohol swabs, syringes, a rescue breathing mask, and instructions for use. 14, 16 Naloxone IM injections are commonly available in the form of 'kits', which is ideal for making overdose treatment accessible and readily available for administration by minimally trained individuals within the community. 2 It's important to note that naloxone only works on opioid receptors within the body, and is therefore not capable of reversing the effects of non-opioid medications such as stimulants like methamphetamine or cocaine, or benzodiazepines like lorazepam or diazepam.Īlso known as the brand name product Narcan, naloxone is currently available by intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SubQ) injection, nasal spray, or intravenous (IV) infusion. 13 Naloxone is indicated for the rapid reversal of these symptoms of central nervous system depression in opioid overdose. 3, 13 If untreated, this can progress to vomiting, absent pulse and breathing, loss of consciousness, and even death. 3 When taken in large quantities, opioid medications such as morphine, hydromorphone, methadone, heroin, or fentanyl are capable of causing life-threatening symptoms such as respiratory depression, reduced heart rate, slurred speech, drowsiness, and constricted pupils. 3 More specifically, naloxone has a high affinity for μ-opioid receptors, where it acts as an inverse agonist, causing the rapid removal of any other drugs bound to these receptors. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist medication used to block or reverse the effects of opioid drugs, particularly within the setting of drug overdoses which are rapidly becoming a leading cause of death worldwide. Kloxxado, Narcan, Suboxone, Targin, Targiniq, Zimhi, Zubsolv Generic Name Naloxone DrugBank Accession Number DB01183 Background

Antidote for morphine sulfate