naloxone

noun

nal·​ox·​one na-ˈläk-ˌsōn How to pronounce naloxone (audio)
: a synthetic potent antagonist of narcotic drugs (such as morphine and fentanyl) that is administered especially in the form of its hydrochloride C19H21NO4·HCl

Note: Naloxone is administered by injection or as a nasal spray to reverse the effects of opioids especially in the emergency treatment of opioid overdose. It is also administered in combination with buprenorphine in the form of a dissolvable tablet placed under the tongue or a film placed inside the cheek to treat opioid dependence.

Examples of naloxone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Star has helped distribute pocket-sized resource guides at six community events around the KC metro and partnered with health organizations to give out 1,000 doses of naloxone, also known as Narcan, a medication that reverses the effects of fentanyl. Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025 Between the lines: Experts attribute at least some of the improvement to the availability and affordability of naloxone, a nasal spray medication that reverses opioid overdoses, and test strips that can identify fentanyl in street drugs. Kate Murphy, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025 None of that naloxone up the schnozz and a quick 911 call malarkey here, kids. Henry Everingham, SPIN, 17 Oct. 2024 San Francisco public health experts attributed the decline to the widespread availability of naloxone, a medication that can rapidly reverse the effects of opioid overdoses, as well as more emphasis on prescribing buprenorphine and methadone, medications that treat opioid addiction long-term. Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for naloxone 

Word History

Etymology

N-allyl + hydroxy- + -one

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of naloxone was in 1964

Dictionary Entries Near naloxone

Cite this Entry

“Naloxone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naloxone. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

Medical Definition

naloxone

noun
: a potent synthetic antagonist of narcotic drugs (as morphine and fentanyl) that is administered especially in the form of its hydrochloride C19H21NO4·HCl

Note: Naloxone is administered by injection or as a nasal spray to reverse the effects of opioids and especially in the emergency treatment of opioid overdose. It is also administered in combination with buprenorphine in the form of a dissolvable tablet placed under the tongue or a film placed inside the cheek to treat opioid dependence. Trademarks for preparations containing naloxone include Bunavail, Evzio, Narcan, Suboxone, and Zubsolv.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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