Naloxone Hydrochloride

• Naloxone Hydrochloride rapidly reverses opioid overdose by blocking opioid receptor activity.
• It is a pure opioid antagonist with fast onset and short duration of action.

Chemical Formula:

• C₁₉H₂₁NO₄·HCl

Mechanism of Action:

• Pure opioid antagonist
  • Strong μ-receptor affinity (competitive)
  • Also blocks κ and δ (lesser extent)
• Rapid onset; short half-life (~1–2 hrs)

Therapeutic Uses:

• Emergency reversal of opioid overdose
• Postoperative opioid reversal
• Adjunct in opioid-induced constipation (low dose)

Side Effects of Naloxone Hydrochloride:

• Precipitated withdrawal in opioid-dependent patients
• Agitation, hypertension, arrhythmias (rare)

Notes:

• Administered IV, IM, SC, intranasal
• Life-saving in opioid overdose; available as auto-injector and nasal spray

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