Opvee (nalmefene) is a prescription nasal spray that’s used to treat opioid overdose. It’s given as needed in an emergency.

Opvee is used to treat a known or suspected opioid overdose. It’s safe to give to adults and to children ages 12 years and older.

The active ingredient in Opvee is nalmefene. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) It belongs to a group of drugs called opioid antagonists.

This article describes the dosage of Opvee, as well as its strength and how to administer it. To learn more about Opvee, see this in-depth article.

Note: Opvee is not a substitute for medical care. In the event of an opioid overdose, seek emergency medical care for the recipient. Call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room.

This section describes the usual dosages of Opvee. Keep reading to learn more.

What is Opvee’s form?

Opvee is available as a liquid solution that’s administered as a nasal spray.

Opvee comes in a package with two nasal spray devices. Each nasal spray device can be used once.

What strength does Opvee come in?

Each Opvee nasal spray device contains only one dose. One dose contains 2.7 milligrams (mg) of Opvee.

What are the usual dosages of Opvee?

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for opioid overdose

The dosage for opioid overdose will vary depending on how the person responds to treatment.

Each spray of Opvee equals one dose. While waiting for emergency medical services (EMS) to arrive, doses should be given one at a time, every 2–5 minutes, until the person receiving Opvee begins to breathe again.

If the person receiving treatment responds and then becomes unresponsive again, Opvee should be given again. You’ll need to use a new Opvee device with each dose.

What’s the dosage of Opvee for children?

Opvee may be used to treat opioid overdose in children ages 12 years and older. The dosage is the same as for adults. Adult dosing is described in the section above.

For more information about Opvee’s dosage for children, talk with your child’s doctor or a pharmacist.

Is Opvee used long term?

No, Opvee is not meant to be used as a long-term treatment. This medication is used only for known or suspected overdose in an emergency.

Depending on your risk of experiencing an opioid overdose, your doctor may recommend that you always have Opvee immediately available. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how long you’ll need to have an Opvee prescription.

For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Opvee, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

In the event of an opioid overdose, give Opvee as soon as possible and call 911. Signs that a person may be experiencing an opioid overdose include:

To give Opvee, position the person on their back, support their neck, and tilt back their head. Insert the Opvee device into the person’s nostril and press on the plunger. The medication will spray into their nose.

Call 911 or your local emergency number. Stay with the person until emergency medical services (EMS) arrive.

You may need to give Opvee again if the person remains unconscious or isn’t breathing normally. You may also need to give Opvee again if they appear to wake up but then become unresponsive again. You’ll need a new Opvee nasal spray device for each dose. Continue to give doses of Opvee every 2–5 minutes, as needed, while waiting for EMS to arrive.

For step-by-step instructions on how to use Opvee, scroll to the last few pages of the drug’s prescribing information.

Accessible drug containers and labels

Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

When given as an emergency treatment for opioid overdose, multiple doses of Opvee are safe. There isn’t a known amount of Opvee that can cause harm. So, if you believe that someone is having an opioid overdose, it’s recommended to continue to give doses of Opvee until medical help arrives.

If Opvee has been used in a situation other than what it’s prescribed for, call your doctor. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource.

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Opvee’s dosage.

Is Opvee’s dosage similar to the dosages of Narcan?

Yes, the dosages of Opvee and Narcan (naloxone) are similar.

Opvee and Narcan are both nasal sprays. Each drug comes in a nasal spray device that contains a single dose.

With either drug, you should continue to give doses every couple of minutes until the person becomes responsive and is breathing well or until emergency medical services (EMS) arrive.

Opvee and Narcan contain different active ingredients, but they are both opioid antagonists.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Opvee to start working?

Opvee starts to work right away. The drug should begin working within 2–5 minutes after a dose is given. And its full effects should be seen within 15 minutes.

If you have other questions about what to expect from Opvee treatment, talk with your doctor.

The sections above describe the usual dosage guidance provided by the manufacturer. Only use Opvee as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about Opvee.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • How can I instruct my friends and family on how to give me Opvee in an emergency?
  • Where is a good place to store Opvee?
  • How many packages of Opvee should I have at home?
  • Can you show me how to give Opvee?

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.