Naloxone

Naloxone In Dogs & Cats: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• A competitive antagonist targeting opioid receptors has the ability to counteract the effects induced by opioid agonists.

Uses of Naloxone

• The management of opioid overdose.
• Identify persistent activity of opioid drugs.

Dose of Naloxone in Dogs and Cats

Dogs, Cats:

• 0.01–0.02 mg/kg i.v.
• 0.04 mg/kg i.m., s.c., intratracheal.
• Naloxone can be administered as a continuous rate infusion at 0.02 mg/kg/h i.v. if a longer duration of opioid antagonism is required.

Side Effects of Naloxone in Dogs and Cats

• Indiscriminate use in animals undergoing major surgery or trauma will expose the recipient to acute severe discomfort.
• In such cases, the effects of opioid overdose (respiratory depression) should be managed by endotracheal intubation and artificial ventilation.
• Naloxone should be reserved for emergency situations when the effects of opioid overdose are severe.

Contraindications of Naloxone in Dogs and Cats

• No information is available.

Some Notes:

• Onset of action i.v. is very rapid, but duration is short (30–40 min).
• Repeated doses or an infusion may be required to manage overdose of longer-acting opioids such as morphine and methadone or high-dose fentanyl.
• Low dose naloxone i.v. will cause a transient elevation of unconsciousness when persistent opioid activity contributes to an unexpectedly long recovery from anaesthesia.