Respiratory effects of naloxone

The respiratory effects of naloxone (200 micrograms X kg-1) on dogs, was studied measuring the parameters breath rate, inspiratory volume, breath minute volume, inspiratory time, total time of cycle, inspiratory volume/inspiratory time ratio, and inspiratory time/total time of cycle ratio. The statistical study was made by using the analysis of variance. Naloxone increases all the parameters studied as well as the response to CO2 while it decreases inspiratory time. The results suggest that there are opioid neurons in the respiratory centre. The blockade of the opioid receptors by naloxone almost explains the respiratory effects observed.