ABSTRACT
This chapter describes trade name, classification, approved indications for psychological disorders, usual dosage and administration, relative contraindications, clinically significant drug interactions, adverse drug reactions and overdosage of Naloxone. Naloxone also is indicated for the diagnosis of suspected acute opiate overdosage. Although overdosages involving opiate analgesics and other psychotropics require emergency symptomatic medical support of body systems, prescribing psychologists require a knowledge of the use and action of naloxone and other antagonists, such as those indicated for the management of benzodiazepine overdosage. Naloxone pharmacotherapy generally may be prescribed for intramuscular, intravenous, or subcutaneous pharmacotherapy. Naloxone essentially exhibits no direct pharmacologic action other than antagonizing the actions of opiate analgesics by competitively blocking the endogenous endorphin receptors in the CNS. The requirement for repeat doses of naloxone depends on the opiate analgesic being antagonized for the symptomatic management of opiate analgesic overdosage and the severity of the overdosage. Following intramuscular, intravenous, or subcutaneous injection, naloxone is distributed rapidly in the body.
