Lately, we’ve been hearing more about Opvee (nalmefene) as another option for reversing opioid overdoses. While it works similarly to Narcan (naloxone) by blocking opioid receptors & restoring breathing, there are some important differences—& some serious concerns that has the public health community talking. We talked about this yesterday with higher dose naloxone formulations- but there are other medications coming out, too. One is Opvee- a formulation of nalmefene in a nasal spray, similar to Narcan.
What Makes Opvee Different?
- Lasts Longer – Opvee stays in the body for up to 11 hours, compared to Narcan’s 30–90 minutes. (Source: Medical News Today)
- Much Stronger – It has a more powerful effect, which can make withdrawal symptoms way more intense & sudden. (Source: Opvee Official Site)
- Not Widely Available & Cost Prohibitive – Narcan is affordable & easy to get, while Opvee is expensive & not stocked in most community programs.
Now, you maybe thinking why these things maybe bad- however, to understand why, we must first understand what Narcan does.
Opioids (like fentanyl, heroin, & oxycodone for example) work by attaching to the opioid receptors in our brain, kind of like how a Velcro strip sticks to fabric. When opioids latch on, they slow breathing &, in high enough amounts, can completely stop it, leading to an OD.
That’s where Narcan (naloxone) comes in. Narcan is like a stronger, stickier Velcro that kicks opioids off the receptors & blocks them from reattaching. This quickly restores normal breathing & wakes the person up. But because Narcan only lasts 30–90 minutes, & some opioids stay in the system much longer, a second dose may be needed until medical help arrives.
This is also why people that are dependent/addicted to opioids might wake up feeling horrible & in withdrawal—Narcan shoves all the opioids away at once, causing sudden withdrawal symptoms like nausea, chills, & body aches. It’s unpleasant, but it saves lives.
Now, back to Opvee- because it lasts longer & is much stronger, this makes the withdrawals a patient experiences MUCH worse, & they last longer too. This, in turn, has the potential to cause people to possibly not call for help. They also may try to use a lot of opioids after being revived, hoping to get rid of the withdrawal- but this puts them back into OD territory.
Why Isn’t Opvee Recommended?
OD reversal is about restoring breathing without causing unnecessary harm. Narcan does this safely, while Opvee’s strength & long duration could actually make things worse by triggering dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
Source
Bottom line? Stick with Narcan unless a medical provider tells you otherwise. It’s safer, easier to use, & the best tool we have right now to save lives.
Where to Get Narcan in Maryland?
- Amazon & retail pharmacies carry Narcan, & you can get it there. You do not need prescription for Narcan in Maryland.
You can get Narcan for FREE here:
- Maryland Dept. of Health – Find local naloxone providers:
- NEXT Distro – Free Narcan by mail in Maryland:
- Local Health Departments – Many offer free Narcan and training.
If you have questions, ready to get off opioids, need Narcan, or just want to talk, please reach out. You’re not alone💙