Overview
11 DESCRIPTION Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray is a pre-filled, single dose intranasal spray. Chemically, naloxone hydrochloride is the hydrochloride salt of 17-Allyl-4,5α-epoxy-3,14-dihydroxymorphinan-6-one hydrochloride with the following structure: C 19 H 21 NO 4 ●HCl M.W. 363.84 Naloxone hydrochloride, an opioid antagonist, occurs as a white to slightly off-white powder, and is soluble in water, in...
Mechanism of Action
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action Naloxone hydrochloride is an opioid antagonist that antagonizes opioid effects by competing for the same receptor sites. Naloxone hydrochloride reverses the effects of opioids, including respiratory depression, sedation, and hypotension. It can also reverse the psychotomimetic and dysphoric effects of agonist-antagonists such as pentazocine. 12.2 Pharmacodynamics When naloxone hydrochloride is administered intravenously, the onset of action is generally apparent within two minutes. The time to onset of action is shorter for intravenous compared to subcutaneous or intramuscular routes of administration. The duration of action is dependent upon the dose and route of administration of naloxone hydrochloride. 12.
Indications
- 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray is indicated for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose, as manifested by respiratory and/or central nervous system depression. Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray is intended for immediate administration as emergency therapy in settings where opioids may be present. Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray is not a substitute for emergency medical care. Limitations of Use: Restrict prescription of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray 2 mg to opioid-dependent patients expected to be at risk for severe opioid withdrawal in situations where there is a...
Common Doses
- Refer to label
Dosage
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray is for intranasal use only. ( 2.1 ) • Seek emergency medical care immediately after use. ( 2.1 ) • Administration of a single spray of Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray intranasally into one nostril. ( 2.2 ) • Administer additional doses of Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray, using a new nasal spray with each dose, if the patient does not respond or responds and then relapses into respiratory depression, additional doses of Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray may be given every 2 to 3 minutes until emergency medical assistance arrives. ( 2.
Contraindications
- 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray is contraindicated in patients known to be hypersensitive to naloxone hydrochloride or to any of the other ingredients. Hypersensitivity to naloxone hydrochloride. ( 4 )
Side Effects
- 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere in the labeling: • Precipitation of Severe Opioid Withdrawal [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to the rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The following adverse reactions were observed in a naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray clinical study.
Interactions
- No major interactions listed on the FDA label. Always consult a healthcare professional.