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 5 minutes, compared to 20 minutes for 4 mgs of naloxone. The opioid that was given to the volunteers was remifentanil, a synthetic opioid.