SAN ANTONIO – The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the second over-the-counter product to treat opioid overdose emergencies.
RiVive is a nasal spray that will be used in doses of three milligrams to reverse the effects of synthetic drugs such as fentanyl, which is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.
Naloxone, the main medication in this product, can restore normal breathing in two to three minutes for a person whose breathing has slowed or even stopped as a result of an opioid overdose.
The FDA explained Friday that the approval of RiVive nasal spray was supported by data from a study that demonstrated its safety and efficacy.
On the other hand, the agency indicated that the manufacturer will determine the date of availability and the price of the product.
During the 12 months leading up to February 2023, more than 105,000 fatal overdoses from synthetic opioids were reported, according to FDA figures.
