Abstract
The first part of this chapter describes the pharmacological basis of opioids, with a particular focus on the potential dangers of heroin and its effects on the respiratory system. The second part introduces and describes the drug naloxone, and summarises its pharmacology, how it is metabolised and other factors that influence its function. It shows the accuracy and specificity of naloxone’s action as an opioid antagonist, how we understand its functions and why, 50 years after its original manufacture, naloxone remains the opioid antagonist of choice for reversal
of overdose
of overdose
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Preventing opioid overdose deaths with take-home naloxone |
| Editors | John Strang, Rebecca McDonald |
| Place of Publication | Luxembourg |
| Publisher | European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Abuse |
| Pages | 15-27 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9789291688371 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2016 |
Keywords
- ADDICTION
- NALOXONE
- DEATH
- PHARMACOLOGY