Pressor effect of naloxone in septic shock

Naloxone was given intravenously to thirteen patients with prolonged hypotension. Eight patients with sepsis who were not receiving corticosteroids had a 45% increase in systolic blood-pressure within minutes of receiving 0.4--1.2 mg of naloxone. The increase in blood-pressure lasted for at least 45 min. In two patients a second dose, given after recurrence of hypotension, resulted in another increase in blood-pressure. Four patients with hypoadrenocorticotropism had no pressor response to naloxone. These observations suggest that endorphins may contribute to the hypotension of sepsis and that naloxone may have therapeutic value in the treatment of septic shock.