Nalmefene study: A faster alternative to naloxone

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.