Endotracheal naloxone reversal of morphine-induced respiratory depression in rabbits

Abstract

In an emergency, intravenous access may be difficult to obtain rapidly. Alternate routes of administration for drugs are, therefore, desirable. Our study was performed to determine if naloxone could be efficacious in reversing morphine-induced respiratory depression in rabbits when administered using the endotracheal route. Our results indicate that naloxone administered in this fashion is effective in reversing morphine-induced respiratory depression in the rabbit. Mean minute ventilation was depressed to greater than half of resting baseline levels using morphine sulfate. Endotracheally administered naloxone reversed this respiratory depression and resulted in a greater than five-fold increase in mean minute ventilation above baseline levels. We concluded that endotracheal naloxone is efficacious in reversing morphine-induced respiratory depression in the rabbit. The endotracheal route may be an effective alternative for naloxone administration in man when rapid intravenous access is not obtainable.