- Dose of 100-400mcg (1-4μg/kg) IV for opioid overdose
- Rapid onset
- Duration of action is 30-45mins, i.e. shorter than morphine and high-dose fentanyl
- May require repeated doses or infusions
Naloxone
Naloxone
- Naloxone is a pure opioid antagonist
- Fully reverses the effect of opioids at MOP (highest affinity), KOP and DOP receptors
Respiratory
- Pulmonary oedema
Cardiovascular
- Leads to increased release of endogenous catecholamines which can cause:
- Hypertension
- Cardiac arrhythmias
Neurological
- Antanalgesia in the opioid-naïve patient
- Can antagonise the effects of nitrous oxide