nalorphine

drug

Also known as: n-allylnormorphine

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

Nalorphine is a white crystalline compound derived from morphine. It was formerly used as a respiratory stimulant to counteract poisoning from morphine and similar narcotic drugs. Nalorphine is a narcotic antagonist, meaning it blocks the actions of narcotics and reverses their effects by preventing them from reaching and acting on opioid receptors in the brain.12

Narcotics are drugs that produce pain relief, sleep, and can lead to addiction. While effective for pain relief, they are also highly addictive. Nalorphine, along with naloxone and naltrexone, are examples of narcotic antagonists used to reverse the effects of a narcotic overdose.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

5 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

narcotic
Treatment for addiction
nalorphine. They are used to reverse the effects of an overdose of narcotics, and they can often save the life of the victim. Naloxone can be given by injection or administered as a nasal spray.
Read More
nalorphine. They are used to reverse the effects of an overdose of narcotics, and they can often save the life of the victim. Naloxone can be given by injection or administered as a nasal spray.
Read More