Naloxone treatment of acute alcoholic or benzodiazepine intoxication

✍ Scribed by E. Malizia; R. Cerbo; M. Ambrosini; A. Russo; M. Smeriglio

• Book ID: 102290090
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1982
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 271 KB
• Volume: 2
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0260-437X
• DOI: 10.1002/jat.2550020109

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Naloxone (0.8–1.6 mg i.v.) effectively counteracted the clinical signs associated with benzodiazepine intoxication in 9 out of 10 emergency room patients. Naloxone (0.8–2.8 mg i.v.) also favorably influenced the state of consciousness in 9 out of 9 alcohol‐intoxicated patients. In cases of acute narcotic overdose, the action of naloxone is almost immediate. Since a longer time was required for naloxone to counteract benzodiazepine or alcohol intoxication, the mechanism of action may be different from that implied in narcotic overdose. In the present cases, naloxone may have acted directly on the respiratory or consciousness centres of the brain.