What drug is commonly used to treat heroin overdoses?

Naloxone is a medication specifically designed to counteract the effects of opioid overdoses, including those caused by heroin. It works by binding to the same receptors in the brain that opioids do, effectively blocking their effects. When someone experiences an overdose, especially with respiratory depression, administering Naloxone can rapidly reverse the overdose symptoms, allowing the person to breathe normally again.

This rapid action makes Naloxone a vital tool for emergency responders and individuals at risk of encountering opioid overdoses. It is available in various forms, including injectable and nasal spray, which enhances its accessibility for use in critical situations.

In contrast to this, methamphetamine is a stimulant drug that would not be relevant in the context of treating an opioid overdose. Propranolol is a beta-blocker used mainly for cardiovascular conditions and not for opioid overdoses. Diazepam, while it is a benzodiazepine that can address anxiety or seizures, does not have the same receptor activity as Naloxone and may even complicate opioid overdoses rather than reverse them.