Best Opioid Antagonist for opioid-related disorders
Top-rated pick: Naloxone — pharmaranks score 72/100, the highest of the 7 Opioid Antagonist drugs used for opioid-related disorders, ranked by our independent FDA recall-safety score. Compare them with all treatments for opioid-related disorders or the full Opioid Antagonist class. Not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 7 opioid antagonist drugs we rate for opioid-related disorders, 5 are available as lower-cost generics, and most are injectable. Our ranking reflects each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for opioid-related disorders; 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 opioid-related disorders
Top opioid antagonist for opioid-related disorders: 1. Naloxone · 2. Vivitrol · 3. Narcan
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $4 | View → | |
| 2 | 70/100 | Prescription | Kit | Generic | $36 | View → | |
| 3 | Not yet rated | Over-the-counter | Spray/Inhaler | Generic | $4 | View → | |
| 4 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Spray/Inhaler | No data | — | View → | |
| 5 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Spray/Inhaler | Generic | $4 | View → | |
| 6 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $4 | View → | |
| 7 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Injectable | No data | — | View → |
Full ranking · 7 drugs
naloxone
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Naloxone (Naloxone Hydrochloride) is an opioid antagonist used to treat Opioid-Related Disorders, Respiration Disorders, Septic Shock.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$4.23· 4 formsvivitrol
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Vivitrol (Naltrexone) is an opioid antagonist used to treat Alcoholism, Opioid-Related Disorders, Drug Overdose.
Pharmacy pays
~$36.35 /30
narcan
Over-the-counterFDA-sourced
Narcan (Naloxone Hydrochloride) is an opioid antagonist used to treat Opioid-Related Disorders, Respiration Disorders, Septic Shock.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$4.23· 4 formsopvee
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Opvee (Nalmefene Hydrochloride) is an opioid antagonist used to treat Opioid-Related Disorders, Respiration Disorders, Drug Overdose.
Price varies
rezenopy
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Rezenopy (Naloxone Hydrochloride) is an opioid antagonist used to treat Opioid-Related Disorders, Respiration Disorders, Septic Shock.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$4.23· 4 formszimhi
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Zimhi (Naloxone Hydrochloride) is an opioid antagonist used to treat Opioid-Related Disorders, Respiration Disorders, Septic Shock.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$4.23· 4 formszurnai (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 opioid-related disorders?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — naloxone ranks highest among Opioid Antagonist drugs used for opioid-related disorders. Always consult a professional.
- Which opioid antagonist drugs treat opioid-related disorders?
- pharmaranks lists 7 Opioid Antagonist products used for opioid-related disorders, 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.