What is the pediatric Narcan dose for IV push per kilogram?

• A. 0.1 mg/kg
• B. 0.01 mg/kg
• C. 1 mg/kg
• D. 0.5 mg/kg

Answer: (A)

Naloxone works by displacing opioid molecules from mu receptors, reversing opioid-induced respiratory depression. In pediatric patients, the dose is given per kilogram of body weight with the IV route to achieve rapid onset. The appropriate initial IV push dose is 0.1 mg per kilogram, and you titrate up by reassessing the child’s breathing and mental status, repeating every 2–3 minutes as needed until there is a clear clinical improvement. This weight-based approach helps tailor the reversal to the child’s size and minimizes risks from over- or under-dosing. Substantially smaller doses like 0.01 mg/kg are usually not enough to reverse effects, while much higher doses (such as 0.5 mg/kg or 1 mg/kg) could provoke unnecessary withdrawal symptoms or cardiovascular stress.