Naloxone Encyclopedic

Encyclopedic

Typical encyclopedia coverage. Cross-reference for important decisions.

• no source attribution
• partial dose data
• duration data present
• toxicity data

Summary

Naloxone (Narcan, Kloxxado, Evzio, RiVive, Nyxoid) is the emergency antidote to opioid overdose: a pure competitive opioid antagonist that displaces opioids from the µ-receptor and restores breathing within minutes. It is not psychoactive, has no abuse potential, and does essentially nothing in someone without opioids in their system — which is why the guidance is simple: if an opioid overdose is even suspected, give it. The three things every carrier should know: naloxone wears off in about 30–90 minutes while many opioids last longer, so the overdose can return — call emergency services every time and keep watching the person; in an opioid-dependent person it triggers immediate withdrawal, which is expected, temporary, and never a reason to withhold it from someone who isn't breathing; and the goal is breathing, not wakefulness — keep giving rescue breaths while it takes effect.

Dose Information source varies by route

Dose basis. Reversal doses from the FDA labels — naloxone has no recreational dose or effect. Nasal sprays: RiVive 3 mg, Narcan 4 mg, Kloxxado 8 mg per single-use device — one spray in one nostril, then a fresh device every 2–3 minutes in alternating nostrils until breathing returns or help arrives. Injection: 0.4–2 mg IM/SC/IV, repeated every 2–3 minutes; lay kits inject into the outer thigh muscle, through clothing if necessary. Hospitals start opioid-dependent patients as low as 0.04–0.1 mg IV to soften withdrawal — but a person who is not breathing gets a full dose immediately.

Onset, Duration & After-effects

Combinations

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