NALOXONE HYDROCHLORIDE

Narcan

Reviewed by Dr Simon Rowley and Dorothy Cooper

November 1996

Management of Naloxone Administration

Description

Clear solution 0.4 mg/ml in 2ml ampoules.

Prescription

All doses are charted on the stat page of the drug prescription chart.

Administration

Intramuscular Injection

The preferred route of administration is IM

Slow IV push

Dilution is not required.
Administer by slow IV push.
Filter prior to administration through a 5 micron filter.
Compatible with NS, D5W and heparin. Incompatible with alkaline solutions. Very little information is available on other solution or drug compatibilities.
Do NOT mix with other drugs, IV solutions, blood or blood products.
Flush with NS before and after administration of naloxone.

Observation and Documentation

Observe for adverse reactions.
Monitor vital signs and observe carefully for signs of improvement or deterioration of ventilatory activity.
Ensure resuscitation equipment is available.
Monitor for bleeding.

Storage

Unopened store at room temperature.
Protect from excessive light.
Discard ampoule after use.

Selected References

1	Committee on Drugs, American Academy of Pediatrics. Emergency drug doses for infants and children and naloxone use in newborns. Pediatr 1989; 83:803.
2	Gibbs J, Newson T, Williams J, Davison DC. Naloxone hazard in infant of opioid abuser. Lancet 1989; 2:159.
3	Gerhart T, Vankalari E, Cohen H, Rocher LF. Use of naloxone to reverse narcotic respiratory depression in newborn infants. J Pediatr 1977; 90:1009.
4	Wiener PC, Hogg MIJ, Rossen M. Effects of naloxone on pethidine induced neonatal depression. Part I: Intravenous naloxone. Part II: Intramuscular naloxone. Br Med J 1977; 2:228-31.