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naloxone

American  
[nuh-lok-sohn, nal-uhk-sohn] / nəˈlɒk soʊn, ˈnæl əkˌsoʊn /

noun

Pharmacology.
  1. an opioid antagonist, C 19 H 21 NO 4 , used to reverse the acute respiratory depression that occurs with opioid overdose.


naloxone British  
/ nəˈlɒksəʊn /

noun

  1. a chemical substance that counteracts the effects of opiates by binding to opiate receptors on cells

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of naloxone

First recorded in 1960–65; by shortening and rearrangement of dihydroxy-, morphinan-, and -one, components of its chemical name

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Telemedicine and mobile clinics have made access to treatment more accessible for some communities, and policy changes in recent years have increased access to the overdose-reversing drug naloxone.

From The Wall Street Journal May 13, 2026

She is a nurse with more than 30 years' experience and can prescribe treatments and hand out naloxone, which she describes as "like a duty of care or a moral issue".

From BBC Feb. 12, 2026

In 2021, President Biden appointed Dr. Rahul Gupta as drug czar, signaling a shift towards embracing harm reduction by promoting naloxone, sterile syringes and fentanyl test strips.

From Salon May 24, 2025

But in the face of numerous news reports about the proposed cuts, Kennedy has not offered full-throated, public support for the naloxone program.

From Los Angeles Times May 4, 2025

CalRx’s Naloxone Access Initiative will buy over-the-counter naloxone for $24 a pack, which is about half the market price, from Amneal Pharmaceuticals, a New Jersey-based manufacturer, according to a news release from Newsom’s office.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 29, 2024

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