Definition

Noun: A synthetic drug that acts as a narcotic antagonist. It is used primarily to counteract the effects of opioid overdose, especially poisoning by morphine and similar narcotics, by blocking opioid receptors in the brain and reversing respiratory depression.

Examples of Usage

• The emergency medical team administered nalorphine to reverse the patient's morphine overdose.
• Nalorphine is an effective antidote for acute narcotic poisoning.
• In clinical settings, nalorphine can be used to diagnose opioid dependence.

Advanced Usage

• Pharmacological antagonist: Nalorphine is classified as a competitive antagonist at opioid receptors, meaning it binds to the receptor and blocks the action of agonist drugs like morphine.
• Precipitated withdrawal: When given to an individual physically dependent on opioids, nalorphine can rapidly precipitate acute withdrawal symptoms. This property was historically used in tests for opioid addiction.

Variants and Related Words

• Nalline: The former trade name for nalorphine.
• Naloxone: A more modern and commonly used opioid antagonist that has largely replaced nalorphine in clinical practice.
• Narcotic antagonist: The general class of drugs to which nalorphine belongs.

Synonyms

• Opioid antagonist
• Narcotic antagonist

Notes on Meaning

While nalorphine is primarily an antagonist, it also possesses some weak agonist (pain-relieving) properties, which can complicate its effects. Its primary and defining use is to counteract the dangerous effects of other narcotics.

Noun

1. a narcotic antagonist (trade name Nalline) that counteracts the effects of narcotics (especially the effects of poisoning by morphine)