Table of contents:
- What Drug Naloxone?
- What is naloxone for?
- How do I use naloxone?
- How to store naloxone?
- Naloxone dosage
- What is the dosage for naloxone for adults?
- What is the dosage of naloxone for children?
- In what dosage is naloxone available?
- Naloxone side effects
- What side effects can be experienced due to naloxone?
- Naloxone Drug Warnings and Cautions
- What should be known before using naloxone?
- Is naloxone safe for pregnant and lactating women?
- Naloxone Drug Interactions
- What medicines may interact with naloxone?
- Can food or alcohol interact with naloxone?
- What health conditions can interact with naloxone?
- Naloxone overdose
- What should I do in an emergency or overdose?
- What should I do if I miss a dose?
What Drug Naloxone?
What is naloxone for?
Naloxone is a drug used for the emergency treatment of narcotics with a known or suspected overdose. Symptoms of a serious overdose may include unusual drowsiness, unusual difficulty waking up, or breathing problems (gradually ranging from slow / shallow breathing to inability to breathe). Other symptoms of an overdose may include very minor categories such as pupil spots, slow heartbeat, or low blood pressure. If a person has symptoms of a serious overdose but you are not sure whether he or she has overdosed, give this drug immediately, as slow / short breathing can cause permanent brain damage or death.
This drug belongs to a class of drugs known as narcotic (opiate) antagonists. It works by blocking the effects of narcotics on the brain. This medication may not work well to block the effects of certain types of narcotics (mixed agonists / antagonists such as buprenorphine, pentazocine). With this type of narcotic, the blocking may be incomplete or you may need a higher dose of Naloxone.
The effects of Naloxone will not last as long as the effects of narcotics. Since treatment with this medicine is not long-lasting, be sure to get medical help immediately after giving the first dose of Naloxone. Treatment of a narcotic overdose should also include respiratory care (such as administering oxygen through a nasal tube, mechanical ventilation, artificial respiration).
How do I use naloxone?
Read the patient information leaflet and Instructions for Use provided by your pharmacist when you get this medicine and each time you get a medicine refill. Make sure to always prepare medicine if needed at any time. Learn first how to properly inject this drug and practice with a trainer kit so that you will be ready to use Naloxone if needed. If you have questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
The solution in this product must be clear. Visually inspect this product for particles or discoloration over time. If the solution is cloudy, discolored, or contains solid particles, replace it with a new auto-injector. (See also Storage section)
Avoid accidentally injecting this medication into your hands or into any area of the body other than your thighs. If this happens, tell your healthcare professional immediately.
The effect of this drug is fast but not long lasting. After giving Naloxone, get medical help immediately, even if the person is awake. If symptoms return after giving the injection, give another Naloxone injection using a new auto-injector every 2 to 3 minutes if available. Each auto-injector contains only one dose and cannot be reused. Keep closely watching the person until emergency help is received. Notify health professionals who have been given Naloxone injections.
How to store naloxone?
This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.
Naloxone dosage
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.
What is the dosage for naloxone for adults?
Normal Dosage for People with Opioid Overdose
0.4-2 mg / dose IV / IM / subcutaneous. Can be repeated every 2 to 3 minutes as needed. Therapy may need to be reviewed if no response is seen after a cumulative dose of 10 mg.
Continuous infusion: 0.005 mg / kg dose followed by infusion of 0.0025 mg / kg / day.
What is the dosage of naloxone for children?
Normal Dosage for Children with Opioid Overdose
Infants, Children and Adolescents:
Opioid poisoning (complete reversal):
IV (preferred) or intraosseous (IO): Note: Can be given IM, subcutaneous, or endotracheal tube (ET), but action onset may be delayed, especially if the patient has poor perfusion; ET likes it if IV or IO routes are not available; doses may need to be repeated.
Infants and children less than or equal to 5 years of age or less than or equal to 20 kg:
0.1 mg / kg / dose; repeat every 2 to 3 minutes if needed; it may be necessary to repeat the dose every 20 to 60 minutes.
Children who are older than 5 years or bigger than 20 kg and teenagers:
2 mg / dose; if there is no response, repeat every 2 to 3 minutes; it may be necessary to repeat the dose every 20 to 60 minutes.
ET: Optimal endotracheal dose known; current expert recommendations 2 to 3 times the IV dose.
Manufacturer's Recommendation: IV (preferred), IM, subcutaneous:
Initial: 0.01 mg / kg / dose; if there is no response, a further dose of 0.1 mg / kg may be given
Note: If using the IM or subcutaneous route, the dose must be given in parts.
Continuous IV Infusion:
Children: If continuous infusion is required, calculate the initial dose / hour based on the effective intermittent dose used and see the duration of an adequate response; dose titration; doses ranging from 2.5 to 160 mcg / kg / hr have been reported; a continuous taper infusion is given gradually to avoid relapse.
Respiratory depression:
PALS 2010 Guidelines: IV: 0.001-0.005 mg / kg / dose; titration for effect
Manufacturer's Recommendations: Initial: 0.005-0.01 mg / kg; repeat every 2 to 3 minutes as needed based on the response.
Opioid-induced pruritus:
Children and Adolescents: Limited data available.
In what dosage is naloxone available?
Solution, injection: 0.4 mg / mL.
Naloxone side effects
What side effects can be experienced due to naloxone?
Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor if you have serious side effects such as:
- chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat
- dry cough, wheezing, feeling short of breath
- sweating, nausea or vomiting
- severe headache, agitation, restlessness, confusion, ringing in your ears
- convulsions
- feeling like you might pass out or
- slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop);
If you are being treated for a narcotic addiction, withdrawal symptoms will include:
- feeling nervous, restless, or irritable
- body aches
- dizzy weakness
- diarrhea, abdominal pain, mild nausea
- fever, chills, goosebumps
- sneeze, runny nose
Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns about side effects, please consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Naloxone Drug Warnings and Cautions
What should be known before using naloxone?
Before using Naloxone injection, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Naloxone injection, other drugs, or any of the ingredients in Naloxone injection. Ask the pharmacist or check the manufacturer's patient information leaflet for a list of ingredients.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products that you are taking or will be taking. Many drugs that affect the heart or blood pressure can increase the risk of developing serious side effects from Naloxone injection. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart, kidney, or liver disease.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding. If you received Naloxone injection during pregnancy, your doctor may need to monitor your unborn baby carefully after you take the medicine.
Is naloxone safe for pregnant and lactating women?
There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or nursing women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:
- A = No risk,
- B = not at risk in several studies,
- C = May be risky,
- D = There is positive evidence of risk,
- X = Contraindicated,
- N = Unknown
It is not known whether Naloxone passes into breast milk or could harm a nursing infant. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby.
Naloxone Drug Interactions
What medicines may interact with naloxone?
Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Naloxegol
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Clonidine
- Yohimbine
Can food or alcohol interact with naloxone?
Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.
What health conditions can interact with naloxone?
Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:
- heart disease
- Kidney illness
- liver disease - use with caution. It might make things worse.
Naloxone overdose
What should I do in an emergency or overdose?
In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Symptoms of an overdose include:
- seizures
- heart rate slows down
- irritability
- worry
- tension
- suspicion
- sadness
- difficulty concentrating
- loss of appetite
- dizzy
- objection
- sweating
- nausea
- stomach ache
What should I do if I miss a dose?
If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
