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Naloxone Side Effects

Naloxone, or Narcan, is a drug used to counteract a morphine or opiate overdose. Naloxone (combined with buprenorphine) is also an ingredient in Suboxone, a drug that helps addicts withdraw from opiates. Alone, Naloxone works by reversing or stopping the effects of narcotic agents. In its combined form with buprenorphine in Suboxone, it creates rapid withdrawal and pain effects, insuring that the user will not use or abuse other opiate substances on top of Suboxone. Naloxone can be a life-saving drug during an opiate overdose, and also a powerful preventative.

  1. General Side Effects

    • Naloxone reverses the analgesic and depressive properties of opiates, and may cause muscle pain, body aches, diarrhea, rapid heartbeat, fever, sweating, nausea or vomiting, irritability, tremor, weakness, fatigue and increased blood pressure when used in conjunction with an opiate. Central nervous system depression, along with slowed heartbeat and shallow breathing leading to coma, can also by reversed by Naloxone, creating a rapid heartbeat and speeding up respiration in the process.

    Serious Side Effects

    • The serious side effects of Naloxone can be life-threatening. If serious side effects are experienced, a medical doctor must be notified immediately. Serious side effects include chest pain or heartbeat irregularities, light-headedness or fainting, seizures or convulsions, or difficulty breathing. The symptoms experienced can increase as time goes by, so fast medical intervention is highly advised.

    Less Serious Effects

    • The less serious side effects of Naloxone do not generally need medical intervention. However, if you feel that the side effects you are experiencing are dangerous, seek medical advice as soon as possible for an evaluation and treatment. The less serious side effects of Naloxone are vertigo, weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, nervousness, restlessness or excitation, sweating, runny nose or shaking.

    Naloxone and Suboxone

    • Naloxone is exceptionally ingenious in the way it operates with Suboxone. Suboxone is an opiate used to help addicts withdraw from opioids like heroin or pain pills while experiencing little to no rebound pain as the pain receptors are no longer bound with opioids; instead, Suboxone takes the place of the opioid as it binds with the receptors in the brain. The intriguing thing about Suboxone in this case is its use of Naloxone. Naloxone prevents the addict from trying to get a more potent high by mixing other opiate substances with Suboxone. When excess amounts of opiates enter the system, Naloxone creates a painful withdrawal reaction, assuring that the addict can no longer abuse or overdose on opiates without experiencing painful consequences.

    Conclusion

    • Naloxone is an essential drug used in the treatment of overdose and abuse of opiates such as heroin, morphine and pain pills. Naloxone does not produce psychological or physical dependence in any way. When no opiate is present in the body, Naloxone produces no effects in the patient.

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