Naloxone vs. Naltrexone — What's the Difference?

Naloxone, sold under the brand name Narcan among others, is a medication used to block the effects of opioids. It is commonly used to counter decreased breathing in opioid overdose.

Naltrexone, sold under the brand names ReVia and Vivitrol among others, is a medication primarily used to manage alcohol or opioid use disorder by reducing cravings and feelings of euphoria associated with substance use disorder. It has also been found to be effective in the treatment of other addictions and may be used for them off-label.

A drug, C19H21NO4, used in its hydrochloride form as an antagonist to opioids such as morphine and in combination with buprenorphine for long-term treatment of opioid addiction.

A synthetic opioid antagonist, C20H23NO4, used in its hydrochloride form to treat addiction to alcohol and to opioid drugs such as heroin.

(pharmaceutical drug) An opioid inverse agonist used to counter the effects of an overdose on opioids (such as heroin or morphine).

(pharmaceutical drug) A synthetic drug, similar to morphine, which blocks opiate receptors in the nervous system and is used chiefly in the treatment of heroin addiction.

A potent narcotic antagonist (trade name Narcan) especially effective with morphine

An oral antagonist against the action of opiates