Opioid side effect respiratory depression: treatment?

• A. Increase dose to overcome
• B. Observing without intervention
• C. Treat with naloxone
• D. Decrease dose and monitor

Answer: (C)

Respiratory depression from opioids is an emergency caused by mu-opioid receptor activation suppressing brainstem drive to breathe. The reversal is best achieved with naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist that rapidly competes at the same receptors and displaces the opioid, restoring respiration. IV administration often brings quick improvement, though naloxone can wear off before the opioid does, so monitoring and possible repeat doses or an infusion may be needed and airway support should be available. In opioid-dependent individuals, reversing with naloxone can precipitate withdrawal, so dosing is titrated to reverse depression while minimizing withdrawal. Increasing the opioid dose would worsen breathing, observation alone doesn’t treat a life‑threatening depression, and simply decreasing the dose without reversal would not promptly restore respiration.