Opvee Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide

Opvee (nalmefene) is an opioid blocker (antagonist). It works by counteracting the effects of opioids. Opvee comes as a nasal spray. But another form of nalmefene is available as an autoinjector (Zurnai) and is injected into the thigh.

Opvee nasal spray is a life-saving medication. But you need to use it correctly for it to work. Here, we’ll cover everything you’ll need to know about Opvee dosages and administration.

Narcan (naloxone) is another opioid antagonist that’s well-known. There are some differences between the medications, including how you access them. Narcan nasal spray can be purchased over the counter (OTC), but Opvee is only available with a prescription.

What’s the typical Opvee dosage?

The typical Opvee nasal spray dosage is 1 spray in a single nostril, which delivers 2.7 mg of nalmefene. Each Opvee nasal spray has exactly enough for one dose (one spray).

Someone who's overdosing may need more than one dose if they haven’t recovered (they’ve woken up and are breathing) within 2 to 5 minutes. But we’ll talk more about this in the next section.

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Opvee is only FDA approved for adults and adolescents who are at least 12 years old. Opvee requires a prescription, so you’ll need to speak to your healthcare professional if you’re interested in having this medication on hand. As mentioned, Narcan nasal spray is available OTC if you prefer to pick up a similar product that doesn’t require a prescription.

How do you administer Opvee?

If you think someone is experiencing an overdose, gently shake and shout at the person to see if they wake up. You can also try rubbing firmly in the middle of their chest. If they don’t wake up, administer Opvee nasal spray (or Narcan) immediately if you have it. Here’s how:

1. Open the Opvee package. Don’t test (or “prime”) the nasal spray device prior to using it. Each nasal spray only contains exactly one dose.

2. Lay the person flat on their back.

3. To administer Opvee, put your hand under the person’s neck and tilt their head back. Place the nasal spray nozzle into one of their nostrils and firmly press down on the plunger.

4. Remove the nasal spray from the nostril.

5. Turn them onto their side. If they vomit, this will help prevent them from choking.

Call 911 immediately after administering Opvee. Receiving Opvee does not replace the need for emergency care in someone experiencing an overdose.

If the person doesn’t recover within 2 to 5 minutes, or they recover and then return to unconsciousness or stop breathing, administer another Opvee dose if you have another nasal spray on hand. Continue repeating this process every 2 to 5 minutes until emergency personnel arrive. Additionally, performing CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is recommended if you can’t feel a pulse on the person overdosing. This indicates they’re in cardiac arrest (when someone’s heart stops beating). CPR involves providing chest compressions and rescue breaths.

What are the signs of an opioid overdose?

If you live with someone who takes opioids, it’s a good idea to know what signs and symptoms might indicate an opioid overdose. These include:

• Shallow and slow breathing

• Unconsciousness or lethargy

• Pinpoint, tiny pupils

• Vomiting or gurgling sounds

• Blue lips and fingernails

• Cold and clammy skin

• Slow heart rate

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Opvee vs. Narcan: You may have heard of Narcan (naloxone), another opioid antidote. There are a few differences between Narcan and Opvee to consider before deciding which is best for you.

• Signs of an opioid overdose: Learn what signs and symptoms may indicate an opioid overdose. 

• Treating opioid use disorder (OUD): Find out what else you can do in addition to medications to help treat OUD.

Witnessing slow, irregular breathing or unconsciousness are reasons to administer Opvee (or Narcan) if you have it.

Can you use Opvee even if you’re unsure whether someone is having an overdose?

Yes, it’s OK to administer Opvee nasal spray even if you’re not positive someone has overdosed on opioids. While Opvee doesn’t reverse overdoses caused by other substances, it won’t hurt the person even if opioids aren’t in their system. That’s why it’s best to administer Opvee (or Narcan) if you think someone may be having an opioid overdose.

What should you do if Opvee isn’t working?

Remember, after administering Opvee immediately call 911. Or better yet, have someone else call 911 while you administer Opvee. This way, medical professionals can arrive as soon as possible. 

However, if you’ve used Opvee and it isn’t working, it’s possible that the person has overdosed on something other than opioids. It’s also possible that the opioid they took is very strong (such as fentanyl) and may require additional Opvee doses. That’s why it's a good idea to keep at least two Opvee nasal sprays with you at all times.

Does Opvee cause opioid withdrawal?

It can. Opvee blocks the effects of opioids, which can lead to opioid withdrawal. Symptoms of opioid withdrawal include shaking, sweating, nausea and vomiting. It can also cause tremors, anxiety, and restlessness. 

Withdrawal is rarely life threatening. So administering Opvee (or Narcan) to someone who's experiencing an opioid overdose is always a good idea. However, withdrawal symptoms will still need medical care. Calling 911 after giving Opvee helps the person overdosing access medical care as quickly as possible.

How to save on Opvee

You may be able to save money on Opvee, which is only available as a brand-name.

• Check with your insurance. If you have health insurance, your plan may cover all or part of your Opvee purchase with a prescription.

• Save with GoodRx. You may be able to obtain Opvee at some pharmacies for $103.61 with a free GoodRx discount.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Caleb Hoppe, PharmD

Caleb has more than 5 years of pharmacy practice experience in multiple settings, including retail pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, and academia (Indiana Pharmacy Teaching Certificate to be obtained in 2024). Caleb has been active in many pharmacy organizations and has been president of local chapters.

Edited by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

Reviewed by:

Soojin Jun, PharmD, BCGP

Soojin has 10 years of experience in various pharmacy settings, from inpatient to outpatient settings, and population health in value-based healthcare models. She completed training in various areas of healthcare to ensure patient safety, from activism, geriatric pharmacy, medication safety, healthcare quality, patient safety, death and dying, and trauma-informed care.

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