Nalmefene Auto-Injector

What is this medication?

NALMEFENE (NAL muh feen) treats opioid overdose, which causes slow or shallow breathing, severe drowsiness, or trouble staying awake. It belongs to a group of medications called opioid blockers.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Heart disease
• Substance use disorder
• An unusual or allergic reaction to nalmefene, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breastfeeding

How should I use this medication?

This medication is injected into a muscle or under the skin. The auto-injector is ready to use. You will be taught how to give it.

Call emergency services right away after giving the first dose. Move the person onto their side. If another dose is needed, give the additional dose using a new auto-injector. Stay with the person until emergency services arrive, even if they wake up.

This medication comes with INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE. Ask your pharmacist for directions on how to use this medication. Read the information carefully. Talk to your pharmacist or care team if you have questions.

It is important that you put your used needles and syringes in a special sharps container. Do not put them in a trash can. If you do not have a sharps container, call your pharmacist or care team to get one.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be prescribed for children as young as 12 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What may interact with this medication?

Interactions are not expected.

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Keep this medication with you at all times.

Show your family members, caregivers, and others where you keep this medication. You will both need to know how to use this medication before you need it. Call emergency services right away after the first dose. This is very important. Do this even if you are awake or feel better.

Each auto-injector only contains one dose. You may need more than one dose in an emergency. Talk to your care team about how many doses to carry with you.

Check the expiration date of your medication often. Look through the viewing window to make sure the solution is clear and colorless to light yellow once a month. If it is not, replace it with a new auto-injector.

This medication quickly reverses the effects of opioids. This may cause withdrawal in some patients. Symptoms may include body aches, sweating, chills, tremors or shaking, restlessness, stomach cramping, diarrhea, yawning, runny nose, increase in blood pressure, and fast or irregular heartbeat. Your care team can help manage these symptoms. Do not take large doses of opioids to stop these effects. This could lead to overdose and death.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Chills
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Do not freeze. Keep this medication in the original packaging until you are ready to use it. Protect from light and moisture. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:

• Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medication, ask your pharmacist or care team how to get rid of this medication safely.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.