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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.

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

It’s a simple modification of naloxone that cannot get past the blood brain barrier, essentially the brain’s security system.

From Salon • Feb. 6, 2025

Most often administered as a nasal spray, naloxone finds and replaces opioid receptors, binding stronger than the opioid and effectively blocking it.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2024

The naloxone will move to the CalRx label once its approved by the U.S.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 29, 2024

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