How does Olinvyk (oliceridine) work?

Olinvyk (oliceridine) works by [attaching to opioid receptors](https://www.asahq.org/madeforthismoment/pain-management/opioid-treatment/what-are-opioids/) in your brain, which helps block your pain.

What are some common side effects of Olinvyk (oliceridine)?

Some common side effects of Olinvyk (oliceridine) include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, constipation, itching, and sleepiness.

Olinvyk

Q: What is Olinvyk (oliceridine) used for?

Olinvyk (oliceridine) is used to treat severe pain. It's typically only used in the hospital for people whose pain isn't relieved with [non-opioid pain medications](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/pain/non-opioid-options-pain-relief-how-to-choose) or oral [opioid medications](https://www.goodrx.com/classes/opioids).

Q: What is the dose of Olinvyk (oliceridine) and how is it given?

Olinvyk (oliceridine) is typically given as a [patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551610/) injection into the veins (intravenous or IV). This means that it's placed in a special pump called a PCA pump that's connected to your IV line. Your provider will program the pump to give you the dose that's appropriate. When you're in pain, you can give yourself a dose of Olinvyk (oliceridine) by pressing a button. Typically, you'll only take this medication for at most 2 days. This isn't meant to be a long term pain treatment.

Q: Why is Olinvyk (oliceridine) a controlled medication?

Olinvyk (oliceridine) is a controlled (Schedule II) medication because it has a risk of abuse and dependence. __Abuse__ is when a medication is used for non-medical reasons to bring out desirable physical or emotional effects. It's characterized by poor or no control of medication use, irresistible urge to use the medication, continued use despite it being harmful, or craving the medication. __Dependence__ is when you rely on a medication to function normally and experience [withdrawal symptoms](https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/special-subjects/recreational-drugs-and-intoxicants/opioids) if you stop taking it (e.g., fever, chills, muscle twitching, anxiety, high blood pressure and heart rate, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). Dependence is usually avoided by only taking the medication as prescribed and slowly lowering the dose before completely stopping the medication, as instructed.

oliceridine

Used for Pain

Olinvyk (oliceridine) is a opioid pain medication approved by the FDA in 2020. It's a short-term pain treatment, typically only used in the hospital to treat severe pain that can't be controlled by other pain medications. Olinvyk (oliceridine) is given IV, usually through a special medication pump that's programmed by your provider to deliver the right dose to you when you press a button.

Reviewed by:

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP

Allison Gourley, PharmD

Last reviewed on June 29, 2022

Olinvyk (oliceridine) is a controlled substance, which means that it's more likely to be misused or cause dependence. There are federal and state laws that limit the amount of medication that can be prescribed or dispensed within a certain period of time.

What is Olinvyk (oliceridine)?

What is Olinvyk (oliceridine) used for?

Treatment of severe pain when non-opioid medications or oral opioid medications haven't worked well

Drug facts

Common Brands	Olinvyk
Drug Class	Opioid
Controlled Substance Classification	Schedule II
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Prescription only

Common Brands

Olinvyk

Drug Class

Opioid

Controlled Substance Classification

Schedule II

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Prescription only

Risks and warnings for Olinvyk (oliceridine)

Olinvyk (oliceridine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

Potentially life-threatening slowed breathing (respiratory depression)

Risk factors: Taking medications that can cause slow breathing (benzodiazepines, opioids, sedatives) | Drinking alcohol | Medical conditions that cause breathing problems (e.g., COPD, asthma) | People age 65 years and older | Low body weight | Debilitated people

Black Box Warning Olinvyk (oliceridine) can cause life-threatening irregular or slowed breathing. Respiratory depression can happen at any time, even at recommended doses. This can cause you to stop breathing and can even lead to death, so it's important to recognize signs of breathing problems and treat them right away. Your provider will have naloxone (Narcan) on hand in case you experience respiratory depression and need to reverse the effects of Olinvyk (oliceridine). If you get shortness of breath, slow or shallow breathing, or bluish-colored lips, fingers, or toes, naloxone (Narcan) will be given to you.

Opioid withdrawal syndrome in newborns

Risk factors: Taking Olinvyk (oliceridine) during pregnancy

Black Box Warning Let your provider know if you're pregnant before you receive Olinvyk (oliceridine). This medication can be passed to your unborn baby if you take it during pregnancy. Once your baby is born, they might experience withdrawal symptoms which include high-pitched crying, poor feeding and sucking behavior, trembling, irritability, abnormal sleep patterns, and seizures. Withdrawal symptoms is more typically seen in babies born to mothers who used opioids for a long time during pregnancy, so they're not as likely to occur with Olinvyk (oliceridine).

Life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm (QT prolongation)

Risk factors: Heartbeat or heart rhythm problems | Taking medications that affect your heartbeat or heart rhythm | Electrolytes (body salts) not in balance | Taking Olinvyk (oliceridine) at doses higher than 27 mg per day

Olinvyk (oliceridine) has been shown to delay when your heart squeezes (contracts) and then relaxes. This condition is known as QT prolongation and can raise the risk for life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms. Your risk for these problems is higher if you already have heart problems or are taking other medications that cause QT prolongation that can change your heartbeat and heart rhythm, such as amiodarone (Pacerone), beta-blockers, and moxifloxacin (Avelox). Make sure to tell your provider about all the medications you're taking before starting Olinvyk (oliceridine). If you feel symptoms of heart problems, such as pounding chest, trouble breathing, feeling faint or lightheaded, or chest pain while taking Olinvyk (oliceridine), call 911 right away.

Drug interactions

Olinvyk (oliceridine) interacts with a lot of commonly used medications. Some medications, including Olinvyk (oliceridine), will need to have the dosage adjusted. Additionally, some medications, such as benzodiazepines, opioids, and sedatives, raise your risk for severe side effects, including death. Make sure to tell your provider about all the medications you're taking before starting Olinvyk (oliceridine).

Severely low blood pressure

Risk factors: Low blood volume | Taking Olinvyk (oliceridine) with medications that are nervous system depressants (e.g., certain antipsychotics or general anesthesia)

Olinvyk (oliceridine) can cause severely low blood pressure. Your blood pressure will likely be monitored while you're using Olinvyk (oliceridine). Let your provider know if you feel lightheaded, dizzy, fatigue, or feeling like you're going to faint.

High pressure in the brain

Risk factors: History of high pressure in the brain | Brain tumors | Head injuries

Olinvyk (oliceridine) can raise the pressure in your brain as a result of lowering your breathing rate. Your breathing rate and level of consciousness will be monitored.

Risk in people with stomach problems

Olinvyk (oliceridine) can cause problems with your stomach. Specifically, it can cause a spasm in one of your muscular valves and raise your risk for inflammation of the pancreas.

Seizures

Risk factors: History of seizures

Olinvyk (oliceridine) can raise the risk for seizures in people with a history of seizures or medical conditions that cause seizures.

Common questions about Olinvyk

Olinvyk is used to treat severe pain. It's typically only used in the hospital for people whose pain isn't relieved with non-opioid pain medications or oral opioid medications.

Olinvyk works by attaching to opioid receptors in your brain, which helps block your pain.

Olinvyk is typically given as a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) injection into the veins (intravenous or IV). This means that it's placed in a special pump called a PCA pump that's connected to your IV line. Your provider will program the pump to give you the dose that's appropriate. When you're in pain, you can give yourself a dose of Olinvyk by pressing a button. Typically, you'll only take this medication for at most 2 days. This isn't meant to be a long term pain treatment.

Some common side effects of Olinvyk include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, constipation, itching, and sleepiness.

Olinvyk is a controlled (Schedule II) medication because it has a risk of abuse and dependence. Abuse is when a medication is used for non-medical reasons to bring out desirable physical or emotional effects. It's characterized by poor or no control of medication use, irresistible urge to use the medication, continued use despite it being harmful, or craving the medication. Dependence is when you rely on a medication to function normally and experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it (e.g., fever, chills, muscle twitching, anxiety, high blood pressure and heart rate, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). Dependence is usually avoided by only taking the medication as prescribed and slowly lowering the dose before completely stopping the medication, as instructed.