naloxone
Naloxone injection is used along with emergency medical treatment to reverse the life-threatening effects of a known or suspected opiate (narcotic) overdose. Naloxone injection is also used after surgery to reverse the effects of opiates given during surgery. Naloxone injection is given to newborns to decrease the effects of opiates received by the pregnant mother prior to delivery. Naloxone injection is in a class of medications called opiate antagonists. It works by blocking the effects of opiates to relieve dangerous symptoms caused by high levels of opiates in the blood.
Full drug information on MedlinePlus →This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Decisions about medication use during pregnancy or breastfeeding should be made with your healthcare provider.
Can taking naloxone affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?
According to the MotherToBaby fact sheet, studies have not been done to see if taking naloxone can make it harder to get pregnant. If you have questions about naloxone and fertility, it is best to discuss them with your healthcare provider.
Does taking naloxone increase the risk of miscarriage?
Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons, and it is not known whether naloxone can increase the chance of miscarriage. Anyone with concerns about this should talk with their healthcare provider.
Does taking naloxone increase the risk of birth defects?
The fact sheet notes that about 3 out of 100 babies are born with a birth defect, and studies have not shown an increased chance of birth defects when taking naloxone. No studies have specifically looked at naloxone used for opioid overdose in the first trimester. Studies on opioids as a group suggest any increased chance of birth defects, if present, is likely small; questions are best directed to a healthcare provider.
Can taking naloxone during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?
It is not known whether naloxone increases pregnancy-related problems overall, but one study suggested it might increase the chance of preterm delivery or low birth weight. Naloxone use in pregnancy can also increase the chance of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in the newborn, though the chance of NAS is reported to be lower with naloxone than with some other medications used for opioid use disorder. These considerations should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Can taking naloxone during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?
Studies have not been done to see if naloxone itself increases the chance of behavior or learning issues for the child. Some studies on opioids in general have found more learning and behavior problems with long-term exposure during pregnancy, but it is hard to know whether this is due to medication exposure or other factors. A healthcare provider can help discuss what is known and unknown.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking naloxone?
The fact sheet states that naloxone passes into breastmilk in small amounts, and the amount reaching the nursing infant's stomach is not well absorbed by the body. If naloxone is used to treat an opioid overdose, stopping breastfeeding until the opiate is out of the body may be suggested. Any concerns about the baby—such as increased sleepiness, trouble feeding, trouble breathing, or limpness—should be reported to the baby's healthcare provider, and breastfeeding questions should be discussed with your provider.
Source: National Library of Medicine
naloxone