How do you say nalmefene? (Pronunciation Series Episode 54)

Welcome to the 54th episode in my drug pronunciations series. In the episode, I divide nalmefene, Zurnai, and Opvee into syllables, tell you which syllables to emphasize, and share my sources. We don’t cover pharmacology in this series. Just pronunciations.

 

Written pronunciations are helpful! They are below and in the show notes on https://www.thepharmacistsvoice.com/podcast.

 

nalmefene = NAL-muh-feen (dictionary.com) or NAL-me-feen (MedlinePlus, USP Dictionary, and drugs.com)

• NAL, which rhymes with pal 
• muh, like mother 
• Feen, like caffeine
• Emphasize NAL
• Source: dictionary.com (written and spoken pronunciation)

 

Zurnai = zur-nye

• Zur, which rhymes with “Sir”
• Nye, like nylon
• Emphasis: none is indicated in the literature
• Source: zurnai.com for the written pronunciation and drugs.com for the spoken pronunciation.

 

Opvee = op-vee

• Op, which is an abbreviation for opportunity  
• Vee, like the letter in the alphabet (V)
• Emphasis: none is indicated in the literature
• Source: The written pronunciation can be found in the Patient Information section of the prescribing information for Opvee on the FDA’s website. For the spoken pronunciation, check out this informational YouTube video about Opvee.

 

If you know someone who would like to learn how to say nalmefene, Zurnai, and Opvee please share this episode with them. Subscribe for all future episodes. This podcast is on all major podcast players and YouTube. Popular links are below. ⬇️

 

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Recommend a drug name for this series via email: [e-mail] or leave a voicemail message for me through the contact tab on my website https://www.thepharmacistsvoice.com.

 

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Host Background: Kim Newlove has been an Ohio pharmacist since 2001 (BS Pharm, Chem Minor). Her experience includes hospital, retail, compounding, and behavioral health. She is also an author, voice actor (medical narrator and audiobook narrator), podcast host, and consultant (audio production and podcasting). 

 

Links from this episode 

• dictionary.com
• MedlinePlus search for nalmefene (accessed 4-30-25) https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a623029.html 
• drugs.com - check out the “click and listen” feature
• Zurnai’s website https://www.zurnai.com 
• Opvee’s YouTube channel for spoken pronunciation. 
• Informational video on YouTube for Opvee
• USP Dictionary Online (Subscription-based resource) 
• USP Dictionary’s pronunciation guide (Free resource, American Medical Association’s website)