Nalmefene study: A faster alternative to naloxone

Abstract

In the first head‐to‐head study of nalmefene nasal spray (OPVEE is the trade name) vs. naloxone to reverse opioid overdose conducted in volunteers, researchers found that nalmefene worked faster than a 4 milligram (mg) dose of naloxone. It worked much faster, in fact, 2.7 mgs of OPVEE reversed respiratory depression within five minutes, compared to 20 minutes for 4 mgs of naloxone. The study, “Reversal of Opioid‐Induced Respiratory Depression in Healthy Volunteers: Comparison of Intranasal Nalmefene and Intranasal Naloxone,” was published March 11 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. The opioid that was given to the volunteers was remifentanil, a synthetic opioid.