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Narcan (Naloxone Hydrochloride) - Description and Clinical Pharmacology

 
 



NARCAN®
(Naloxone Hydrochloride Injection, USP)
Opioid Antagonist
Rx only

DESCRIPTION

NARCAN (naloxone hydrochloride injection, USP), an opioid antagonist, is a synthetic congener of oxymorphone. In structure it differs from oxymorphone in that the methyl group on the nitrogen atom is replaced by an allyl group.

Naloxone hydrochloride occurs as a white to slightly off-white powder, and is soluble in water, in dilute acids, and in strong alkali; slightly soluble in alcohol; practically insoluble in ether and in chloroform.

NARCAN injection is available as a sterile solution for intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous administration in three concentrations: 0.02 mg, 0.4 mg and 1 mg of naloxone hydrochloride per mL.

pH is adjusted to 3.5 ± 0.5 with hydrochloric acid.

The 0.02 mg/mL strength is an unpreserved, paraben-free formulation containing 9 mg/mL sodium chloride.

The 0.4 mg/mL vial contains 8.6 mg/mL of sodium chloride and 2 mg/mL of methylparaben and propylparaben as preservatives in a ratio of 9:1. The 0.4 mg/mL ampul is also available in an unpreserved, paraben-free formulation containing 9 mg/mL of sodium chloride.

The 1 mg/mL vial contains 8.35 mg/mL of sodium chloride and 2 mg/mL of methylparaben and propylparaben as preservatives in a ratio of 9:1. The 1 mg/mL ampul is also available in an unpreserved, paraben-free formulation containing 9 mg/mL of sodium chloride.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Complete or Partial Reversal of Opioid Depression

NARCAN prevents or reverses the effects of opioids including respiratory depression, sedation and hypotension. Also, NARCAN can reverse the psychotomimetic and dysphoric effects of agonist-antagonists such as pentazocine.

NARCAN is an essentially pure opioid antagonist, i.e., it does not possess the “agonistic” or morphine-like properties characteristic of other opioid antagonists. When administered in usual doses and in the absence of opioids or agonistic effects of other opioid antagonists, it exhibits essentially no pharmacologic activity.

NARCAN has not been shown to produce tolerance or cause physical or psychological dependence. In the presence of physical dependence on opioids, NARCAN will produce withdrawal symptoms. However, in the presence of opioid dependence, opiate withdrawal symptoms may appear within minutes of NARCAN administration and subside in about 2 hours. The severity and duration of the withdrawal syndrome are related to the dose of NARCAN and to the degree and type of opioid dependence. While the mechanism of action of NARCAN is not fully understood, in vitro evidence suggests that NARCAN antagonizes opioid effects by competing for theμ, κ and σ opiate receptor sites in the CNS, with the greatest affinity for theμ receptor.

When NARCAN is administered intravenously (I.V.), the onset of action is generally apparent within two minutes. The onset of action is slightly less rapid when it is administered subcutaneously (S.C.) or intramuscularly (I.M.). The duration of action is dependent upon the dose and route of administration of NARCAN. Intramuscular administration produces a more prolonged effect than intravenous administration. Since the duration of action of NARCAN may be shorter than that of some opiates, the effects of the opiate may return as the effects of NARCAN dissipates. The requirement for repeat doses of NARCAN will also be dependent upon the amount, type and route of administration of the opioid being antagonized.

Adjunctive Use in Septic Shock

NARCAN has been shown in some cases of septic shock to produce a rise in blood pressure that may last up to several hours; however, this pressor response has not been demonstrated to improve patient survival. In some studies, treatment with NARCAN in the setting of septic shock has been associated with adverse effects, including agitation, nausea and vomiting, pulmonary edema, hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, and seizures. The decision to use NARCAN in septic shock should be exercised with caution, particularly in patients who may have underlying pain or have previously received opioid therapy and may have developed opioid tolerance.

Because of the limited number of patients who have been treated, optimal dosage and treatment regimens have not been established.

PHARMACOKINETICS

Distribution

Following parenteral administration, NARCAN is rapidly distributed in the body and readily crosses the placenta. Plasma protein binding occurs but is relatively weak. Plasma albumin is the major binding constituent but significant binding of naloxone also occurs to plasma constituents other than albumin. It is not known whether naloxone is excreted into human milk.

Metabolism and Elimination

NARCAN is metabolized in the liver, primarily by glucuronide conjugation with naloxone-3-glucoronide as the major metabolite. In one study the serum half-life in adults ranged from 30 to 81 minutes (mean 64 ± 12 minutes). In a neonatal study the mean plasma half-life was observed to be 3.1± 0.5 hours. After an oral or intravenous dose, about 25-40% of the drug is excreted as metabolites in urine within 6 hours, about 50% in 24 hours, and 60-70% in 72 hours.

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