What happen if not enough narcan (naloxone) is given?

Reversal agents: Narcan (naloxone) is used as a reversal agent for opiates. If suboptimal doses are given, then the opiate side effect will not be blocked/reversed. Too much Narcan (naloxone) is also bad.

Opiate wins: If the opiate (for which the Narcan (naloxone) is given and is reversing) is longer acting then the opiate will go back into effect and the patient may die of respiratory arrest.

It is not : A common practice to rely on Naloxone for opiate reversal in the operations room. It is typically used for reversal when the patient has too strong a response to narcotics and is experiencing respiratory depression. One should only receive enough Naloxone to reverse to respiratory depression, but, ideally, not the pain control.