Which medication is commonly utilized to reverse the effects of opioid overdose?

Naloxone is a medication specifically designed to reverse the effects of opioid overdose. It works as an opioid antagonist, meaning it binds to the same receptors in the brain that opioids do, effectively blocking or reversing the effects of opioids such as respiratory depression, sedation, and hypotension that can be life-threatening in an overdose situation.

When administered, naloxone can quickly restore respiratory function in a person who has overdosed on opioids, making it a critical tool in emergency medicine and for individuals at risk of opioid overdose. Its rapid action and ability to displace opioids from their receptors are what make it effective in such scenarios.

Other medications listed do not serve this purpose; for instance, flumazenil is an antagonist for benzodiazepines but has no effect on opioids, while aspirin and acetaminophen are pain relievers that do not affect the opioid receptors at all.