Opioid overdose

Nalmefene

Nalmefene, a 6-methylene analogue of naltrexone, is an opioid antagonist that prevents or reverses the effects of opioids (including respiratory depression, sedation, and hypotension). Nalmefene has a longer duration of action than naloxone at fully reversing doses and has no opioid agonist activity.[50]Purdue Pharma. FDA approves nalmefene HCl injection, 2mg/2mL (1mg/1mL) for the treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose with natural or synthetic opioids. 23 February 2022 [internet publication]. https://www.purduepharma.com/news/2022/02/23/fda-approves-nalmefene-hcl-injection-2mg-2ml-1mg-1ml-for-the-treatment-of-known-or-suspected-opioid-overdose-with-natural-or-synthetic-opioids  Nalmefene has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the complete or partial reversal of opioid drug effects and is available as both an injection and intranasal spray. The intranasal spray is approved for the emergency management of known or suspected opioid overdose, and is the first approval of nalmefene for both health care and community use. Nalmefene is likely to be used as an alternative to naloxone; however, guidelines do not recommend its use as yet.