Best Opioid Antagonist for drug overdose
Top-rated pick: Vivitrol — pharmaranks score 70/100, the highest of the 3 Opioid Antagonist drugs used for drug overdose, ranked by our independent FDA recall-safety score. Compare them with all treatments for drug overdose or the full Opioid Antagonist class. Not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 3 opioid antagonist drugs we rate for drug overdose, 1 is available as lower-cost generics, and most are kit. Our ranking reflects each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for drug overdose; the right choice depends on your situation, so confirm it with your prescriber.
How opioid antagonist work
Opioid antagonists attach to the same brain and body receptors that opioids use, but without switching them on. By occupying those receptors, they block opioids from binding and can rapidly reverse an overdose or curb opioid cravings.
Other drug classes for drug overdose
Top opioid antagonist for drug overdose: 1. Vivitrol · 2. Opvee · 3. Zurnai (Autoinjector)
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70/100 | Prescription | Kit | Generic | $36 | View → | |
| 2 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Spray/Inhaler | No data | — | View → | |
| 3 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Injectable | No data | — | View → |
Full ranking · 3 drugs
vivitrol
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Vivitrol (Naltrexone) is an opioid antagonist used to treat Alcoholism, Opioid-Related Disorders, Drug Overdose.
Pharmacy pays
~$36.35 /30
opvee
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Opvee (Nalmefene Hydrochloride) is an opioid antagonist used to treat Opioid-Related Disorders, Respiration Disorders, Drug Overdose.
Price varies
zurnai (autoinjector)
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Zurnai (Autoinjector) (Nalmefene Hydrochloride) is an opioid antagonist used to treat Opioid-Related Disorders, Respiration Disorders, Drug Overdose.
Price varies
Frequently asked
- What is the best opioid antagonist for drug overdose?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — vivitrol ranks highest among Opioid Antagonist drugs used for drug overdose. Always consult a professional.
- Which opioid antagonist drugs treat drug overdose?
- pharmaranks lists 3 Opioid Antagonist products used for drug overdose, per NIH RxClass drug-classification data — each independently rated and ranked above.
- How are these ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.