naloxone
Pronunciation: NAL-ok-sohn
An opioid antagonist administered to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression, excessive sedation, or hemodynamic compromise during or after dental anesthesia.
Full Definition
Naloxone is a competitive mu-opioid receptor antagonist used as a rescue agent for opioid toxicity in dental anesthesiology, most commonly following inadvertent over-dosing of fentanyl, morphine, or other opioids. Its onset of action is rapid intravenously, and it can precipitate acute opioid withdrawal or sudden pain emergence in opioid-tolerant patients. Editors must not confuse naloxone with naltrexone (an oral, long-acting opioid antagonist) or flumazenil (benzodiazepine antagonist). In clinical documents, the dose and route are always specified, and repeated dosing requirements must be noted accurately given the drug's shorter duration relative to some opioids. Brand name Narcan is capitalised.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish clearly from 'naltrexone' (oral, chronic-use opioid antagonist) and 'flumazenil' (benzodiazepine antagonist). Brand name Narcan is always capitalised.
In Context
- "Naloxone was titrated in 0.04 mg increments to reverse respiratory depression while preserving analgesia." — Intraoperative anesthesia record
- "The emergency drug kit was required to contain a minimum of two ampoules of naloxone and one of flumazenil." — Office-based anesthesia equipment standard