Intravenous naloxone in acute respiratory failure.

Abstract

A 58-year-old man presented with acute on chronic respiratory failure. In the acute stage of his illness an infusion of the opiate antagonist naloxone caused an improvement in oxygen saturation as measured by ear oximetry from 74% to 85%, while a saline infusion resulted in a return of oxygen saturation to the original value. When he had recovered from the acute episode the same dose of naloxone had no effect on oxygen saturation. These findings suggest that in acute respiratory failure there may be overproduction of, or increased sensitivity to, endorphins.

• Authors: J Ayres, J Rees, T Lee, G M Cochrane
• Journal: British medical journal (Clinical research ed.) (Br Med J (Clin Res Ed)) Vol. 284 Issue 6320 Pg. 927-8 (Mar 27 1982) ISSN: 0267-0623 [Print] England
• PMID: 6802353 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Naloxone
• Oxygen

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Humans
• Infusions, Parenteral
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Naloxone (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Oxygen (blood)
• Respiratory Insufficiency (blood, drug therapy)