Question:
What is the specific antidote used in acute opioid (e.g. heroin, morphine) poisoning?
What is the specific antidote used in acute opioid (e.g. heroin, morphine) poisoning?
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Pinpoint pupils + slow breathing - reverse with the opioid-receptor blocker.
Updated On: Jun 25, 2026
- Naloxone
- Flumazenil
- Atropine
- N-acetylcysteine
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Recall the opioid toxidrome.
Opioid overdose produces the triad of pinpoint (miotic) pupils, respiratory depression and CNS depression/coma. Death is from respiratory failure.
Step 2: Identify the antidote and its mechanism.
Naloxone is a pure, competitive \(\mu\)-opioid receptor antagonist. Given IV/IM/intranasal, it rapidly reverses respiratory depression and coma. Because it is short-acting, repeated doses or an infusion may be needed when a long-acting opioid (e.g. methadone) is involved.
Step 3: Match antidotes to their poisons (why the others are wrong).
• Flumazenil to benzodiazepine reversal.
• Atropine to organophosphate / carbamate (cholinergic) poisoning and bradycardia.
• N-acetylcysteine to paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose.
Key fact: The antidote for opioid poisoning is naloxone, an opioid-receptor antagonist that reverses respiratory depression.
Opioid overdose produces the triad of pinpoint (miotic) pupils, respiratory depression and CNS depression/coma. Death is from respiratory failure.
Step 2: Identify the antidote and its mechanism.
Naloxone is a pure, competitive \(\mu\)-opioid receptor antagonist. Given IV/IM/intranasal, it rapidly reverses respiratory depression and coma. Because it is short-acting, repeated doses or an infusion may be needed when a long-acting opioid (e.g. methadone) is involved.
Step 3: Match antidotes to their poisons (why the others are wrong).
• Flumazenil to benzodiazepine reversal.
• Atropine to organophosphate / carbamate (cholinergic) poisoning and bradycardia.
• N-acetylcysteine to paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose.
Key fact: The antidote for opioid poisoning is naloxone, an opioid-receptor antagonist that reverses respiratory depression.
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