Which medication is commonly used for opioid overdose?

Naloxone is commonly used for opioid overdose as it is an opioid antagonist. This means that it acts by competitively binding to the opioid receptors in the brain, effectively reversing the effects of opioid drugs. When administered in cases of overdose, Naloxone can quickly restore normal respiration and consciousness, which is critical since opioid overdoses can lead to respiratory failure.

In cases of an opioid overdose, the primary concern is the CNS and respiratory depression caused by the excess opioids. Naloxone rapidly displaces the opioids from their receptors and can help prevent life-threatening side effects. It can be administered via various routes, including intranasal and intramuscular, making it accessible for emergency situations.

Other medications listed, such as fentanyl and oxycodone, are opioids themselves and could exacerbate an overdose situation rather than alleviate it. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist used in treatment for opioid addiction but does not effectively counteract the severe depressive effects of a full opioid agonist overdose like Naloxone does. Thus, Naloxone is uniquely suited for the treatment of opioid overdose, making it the correct choice in this scenario.