This site is intended for healthcare professionals only.

Request Information

Opioids and Synthetic Opioids

88% of OPIOID overdose deaths in 2021 involved synthetic opioids4

Fentanyl and other synthetics (except methadone) increased opioid overdose deaths 7.5-fold from 2015–2021.

In 2021, this number increased to 70,601 overdose deaths—mostly from fentanyl.

National Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths, Number Among All Ages, 1999-20214*
A graph showing the number of opioid and synthetic opioid overdose deaths between 1999 and 2021

Number of deaths

A graph showing the number of opioid and synthetic opioid overdose deaths between 1999 and 2021

*Includes deaths with underlying causes of unintentional drug poisoning (X40–X44), suicide drug poisoning (X60–X64), homicide drug poisoning (X85), or drug poisoning of undetermined intent (Y10–Y14), as coded in the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Multiple Cause of Death 1999–2021. CDC WONDER Online Database, 01/23.

Opioid Reversal Agents

Opioid Reversal Agents Such as Naloxone continue to make an impact. still, more tools are needed5

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) supports development of stronger, longer-acting formulations of opioid antagonists to counteract high-potency synthetic opioids.5

Actor portrayal.
Actor portrayal.
HALF-LIVES CAN VARY ACROSS OPIOIDS†
OpioidsDrug
Plasma half-⁠life (hours)
Natural
Morphine6
3 to 4
Semisynthetic
Heroin7
0.5
Hydromorphone6
2 to 3
Oxycodone8
3 to 5
Synthetic
Fentanyl6, 9-11
2 to 8
Carfentanil12
5.7
Tramadol13
6.3
Methadone6
>12

†This is not an exhaustive list of all opioids. Half-lives reported are approximations. Patient- and drug-specific variables may impact the actual half-life of a drug. Pharmacokinetic data may not necessarily correlate with clinical effects.

ELIMINATION HALF-LIFE OF A SAMPLING OF OPIOID ANTAGONISTS‡
DrugElimination mean plasma half-life (t1/2)Route of administration Route of admin-istration
Nalmefene HCl1injection 2 mg/2 mL
10.8 hours§
IV, IM, or SC
Naloxone HCl (generic)14injection 0.4 mg/1 mL
0.5–1.35 hours
ZIMHI® (naloxone HCl)15pre-filled syringe 5 mg/0.5 mL
IM, 1.5 hours
IM or SC
OPVEE® (nalmefene)16nasal spray 2.7 mg
11.4 hours
IN
NARCAN® (naloxone HCl)17nasal spray 4 mg/0.1 mL
Approximately 2.08 hours
Kloxxado® (naloxone HCl)18nasal spray 8 mg/0.1 mL
1.8–2.7 hours
RiVive™ (naloxone HCl)19nasal spray 3 mg/0.1 mL
1.36 hours

IM=intramuscular; IN=intranasal; IV=intravenous; SC=subcutaneous.

‡Not an exhaustive list of all half-lives reported across all studies conducted. Based on values reported in each respective full Prescribing Information and New Drug Application.

§Nalmefene elimination half-life is based on pharmacokinetic data. The mean terminal elimination half-life is 10.8 hours and 9.4 hours in younger (19 to 32 years) and elderly (62 to 80 years) healthy male subjects, respectively, following a Nalmefene HCl 1 mg IV dose.1

Nalmefene HCl Essentials

HELP TAKE CONTROL OF OPIOID OVERDOSE UNKNOWNS WITH NALMEFENE HCl

  • Effectively reversed respiratory depression within 2 to 5 minutes in most patients1‖

  • 10.8-hour mean terminal elimination half-life1¶

  • Safety and tolerability similar to naloxone1

  • Flexibility to be given as IV, IM, or SC injection1

IM=intramuscular; IV=intravenous; SC=subcutaneous.

‖

Studied in 284 patients presumed to have taken an opioid overdose. Effectively reversed respiratory depression at doses of 0.5 mg to 1 mg. Dose range in clinical trials was 0.5 mg to 2 mg.1,20

Nalmefene elimination half-life is based on pharmacokinetic data. The mean terminal elimination half-life is 10.8 hours and 9.4 hours in younger (19 to 32 years) and elderly (62 to 80 years) healthy male subjects, respectively, following a Nalmefene HCl 1 mg IV dose.1