Final answer:
Respiratory failure due to an opioid overdose is treatable with naloxone, an opioid antagonist that reverses the effects of narcotics, especially poignant in cases of acute intoxication.
Step-by-step explanation:
Respiratory failure resulting from sedative or opioid drug overdose can be treated with naloxone, a specific antagonist. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that has no effects such as analgesia or euphoria in individuals who are not dependent on opiates. Its primary use is to reverse respiratory depression caused by an acute narcotic intoxication, which can happen in cases of overdoses from drugs like heroin, morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl. Opioid overdoses can cause breathing to slow down or stop, often leading to death. Administering naloxone can rapidly reverse these effects, allowing the person to wake up and continue breathing while awaiting emergency medical care. However, its effects are short-lived and it must be administered parenterally, so continual monitoring and possibly repeated dosing are necessary.