<< Back to News

System Formulary Update
Opioid Antagonist Formulary Update

Situation

The opioid antagonist class review and formulary standardization was approved at the June 2021 System Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee meeting.

Background

The following medications were reviewed: alvimopan, methylnaltrexone, naloxegol, naloxone, naltrexone

Assessment/Recommendation

Changes effective: Tuesday, October 5, 2021

System P&T voted to include the following products on the UNC Health Medication Formulary:

• Alvimopan capsule 12 mg
• Methylnaltrexone solution syringe 12 mg/0.6 mL
  • Use of methylnaltrexone solution is restricted to those unable to take naloxegol tablet (eg, NPO)
• Naloxegol tablet 12.5 mg, 25 mg
• Naloxone solution injection 0.4 mg/mL (1 mL, 10 mL)
• Naloxone injection syringe 1 mg/mL (2 mL)
• Naltrexone tablet 50 mg
• Naltrexone suspension injection 380 mg

Note: Stock of these formulary products may vary at individual entities

As a result, the following products will be removed from the UNC Health Medication Formulary

• Methylnaltrexone 50 mg tablet
• Naldemedine 0.2 mg tablet
• Naloxone 4 mg nasal spray [ERX 178839]
• Naloxone autoinjector
• Naltrexone 1 mg/mL oral suspension [ERX 408450035]