What is the antidote for opiate overdose?

What is the antidote for opiate overdose?

• A. Naloxone (Narcan)
• B. Flumazenil (Romazicon)
• C. N-acetylcysteine (Mucomyst)
• D. Activated charcoal

Answer: (C)

Opioid overdose causes dangerous respiratory depression, which is reversed by a competitive antagonist at the opioid receptors. Naloxone (Narcan) binds strongly to mu receptors, displacing the opioid and rapidly restoring ventilatory drive. When given IV, the effect is quick, and clinicians titrate the dose to achieve respiratory recovery while minimizing agitation or withdrawal. Because naloxone often wears off sooner than many opioids, patients can relapse into apnea, so careful monitoring and possibly repeated dosing or an infusion are often needed. Always be ready to assist ventilation and monitor for recurrent symptoms, especially in long-acting opioid exposures. Flumazenil reverses benzodiazepines, not opioids. N-acetylcysteine is the antidote for acetaminophen overdose. Activated charcoal can limit absorption after ingestion in some cases but is not an antidote for opioid overdose.

Opioid overdose causes dangerous respiratory depression, which is reversed by a competitive antagonist at the opioid receptors. Naloxone (Narcan) binds strongly to mu receptors, displacing the opioid and rapidly restoring ventilatory drive. When given IV, the effect is quick, and clinicians titrate the dose to achieve respiratory recovery while minimizing agitation or withdrawal. Because naloxone often wears off sooner than many opioids, patients can relapse into apnea, so careful monitoring and possibly repeated dosing or an infusion are often needed. Always be ready to assist ventilation and monitor for recurrent symptoms, especially in long-acting opioid exposures.

Flumazenil reverses benzodiazepines, not opioids. N-acetylcysteine is the antidote for acetaminophen overdose. Activated charcoal can limit absorption after ingestion in some cases but is not an antidote for opioid overdose.