Final answer:
The reversal agent for severe respiratory depression caused by opioids is naloxone, an opioid antagonist that is life-saving in overdose situations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reversal agent used in severe respiratory depression caused by opioids for pain control is naloxone. This medication is an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses the effects of opioid intoxication, restoring normal respiration in cases of overdose. Naloxone works by binding to opioid receptors, preventing opioids like morphine, heroin, and prescription pain relievers from exerting their effects.
It is particularly crucial in emergency situations and is administered parenterally. While naloxone has a short duration of action, it provides a vital window for medical intervention and the prevention of fatal respiratory depression due to opioid overdose.