What is the typical Narcan (naloxone) dose range for an adult overdose?

• A. 0.04-0.2 mg
• B. 0.4-2 mg
• C. 4-5 mg
• D. 20-40 mg

Answer: (B)

Naloxone works by quickly displacing opioids from their receptors, so the goal is to start low and titrate up until breathing improves without causing unnecessary agitation or withdrawal. For an adult overdose, a typical starting dose is 0.4 mg given by the IV route, with additional dosing every 2–3 minutes and titration up to about 2 mg total if needed. This range reflects a balance between rapid reversal of respiratory depression and minimizing withdrawal or abrupt sympathetic effects.

Keeping in mind naloxone’s short duration relative to some opioids, patients can redevelop symptoms as the drug wears off, so continued monitoring and sometimes repeated dosing or a careful infusion may be required, especially with long-acting opioids. The other dose ranges are not standard: they’re either too small to reliably reverse the overdose, or unnecessarily large and increase risks such as withdrawal, agitation, or instability.