Final answer:
Naloxone, an opioid-overdose antidote, is typically administered via parenteral routes which include intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous injections to ensure rapid onset of action necessary for reversing opioid overdose effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Naloxone is an opioid-overdose antidote known by the brand name Narcan. It is designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose and is typically administered by a parenteral route due to the necessity for a quick onset of action. The parenteral routes for naloxone administration can include intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), or subcutaneous (SC) injections. Because naloxone requires rapid effect, especially in overdose situations, the oral route is not used due to the slower absorption rate.
When naloxone is administered, it quickly antagonizes the actions of morphine at all its receptors. This is crucial in emergency situations where reversing the life-threatening effects of opioid overdose, such as respiratory depression, is immediate and necessary. It is also used in neonates to reverse narcotic-induced respiratory depression if their mothers received narcotics during delivery. The IV route is often preferred in emergency situations to achieve the fastest plasma levels, but IM and SC routes are also effective and commonly used, especially in pre-hospital or out-of-hospital settings where intravenous access may be more challenging.