- Body system
- Pain
- Brand names
- Narcan, Kloxxado, Zimhi
What is Naloxone used for?
- Opioid overdose (emergency treatment)
- Reversal of opioid-induced respiratory depression after surgery or procedures
How Naloxone works
Opioid antagonist: displaces opioids from their receptors and reverses their effects within minutes.
Common side effects
- Acute opioid withdrawal in dependent patients: agitation, pain, sweating, vomiting, tachycardia
- Return of pain
Report right away
- Breathing that slows again after it improved
Nursing considerations for Naloxone
- Naloxone often wears off before the opioid does: monitor breathing and sedation closely and be ready to repeat the dose.
- After surgery, it is titrated in small increments as ordered, to restore breathing without fully reversing pain control.
- Call for help and support breathing while it takes effect.
Patient teaching
- Naloxone nasal spray is sold without a prescription; keep it at home if someone uses opioids.
- After giving it, call 911 and stay with the person: they may need another dose.
This card does not list doses. Use the prescriber's order, the product label and a current drug reference for dosing, and follow your facility's policies.
Opioid analgesics and antagonists practice questions
NCLEX-style questions on the class Naloxone belongs to.
3 questions. Choose an answer to see the rationale.
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After a dose of IV morphine, a patient is difficult to arouse with a respiratory rate of 8. What is the priority action?
Show answer
Answer A: Stimulate the patient, support breathing and give naloxone as ordered This is opioid-induced respiratory depression. Support the airway and breathing and give naloxone per protocol.
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Which adverse effect of opioids does not lessen with continued use?
Show answer
Answer D: Constipation Tolerance develops to most opioid effects but not to constipation, so a bowel regimen is needed for the whole course.
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Why must a patient who received naloxone be monitored closely?
Show answer
Answer A: Naloxone may wear off before the opioid, and sedation can return Naloxone's duration is shorter than that of many opioids, so respiratory depression can recur.
Frequently asked questions
What is Naloxone used for?
Opioid overdose (emergency treatment); Reversal of opioid-induced respiratory depression after surgery or procedures.
What drug class is Naloxone?
Naloxone belongs to the class opioid analgesics and antagonists. Opioid antagonist: displaces opioids from their receptors and reverses their effects within minutes.
What are the nursing considerations for Naloxone?
Naloxone often wears off before the opioid does: monitor breathing and sedation closely and be ready to repeat the dose. After surgery, it is titrated in small increments as ordered, to restore breathing without fully reversing pain control.
What should patients report while taking Naloxone?
breathing that slows again after it improved.