Naloxone and naltrexone. Application in COPD.
The narcotic antagonists naloxone and naltrexone were used as respiratory stimulants in two patients failing traditional medical therapy for COPD. Both patients demonstrated improvement while receiving the drugs, but developed respiratory failure when they were discontinued abruptly. In selected patients with COPD, narcotic antagonists may offer an additional mode of therapy.
D000368:Aged; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009270:Naloxone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D009270:Naloxone; D009271:Naltrexone; D010100:Oxygen