[A study on the action of naloxone (author's transl)]

The action of naloxone was evaluated in two separate investigations. In the first study the action of naloxone, nalorphine and placebo was compared in 5 healthy volunteers using a double-blind, cross-over trial. After the administration of nalorphine changes in psychical state and respiratory depression were observed in all subjects, whereas naloxone caused no changes even after very high doses. It is concluded, that naloxone has no agonism or intrinsic narcotic activity as opposed to nalorphine. In the second investigation, the efficacy of naloxone in antagonising large doses of fentanyl was evaluated in 25 surgical patients. The administration of naloxone caused a significant increase of respiratory rate and minute volume, a decrease of arteriell pCO2 and an increase of pO2. The results obtained confirmed that naloxone has a fast and potent anti-narcotic action.