Naltrexone Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information

Naltrexone is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as opioid antagonists. Originally developed to treat opioid addiction, it has since found a second life as a frontline treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD). No, discontinuing naltrexone does not cause withdrawal symptoms, as it is not an addictive substance. However, if naltrexone is administered to individuals who still have opioids in their system, it precipitates acute withdrawal by displacing opioids from their receptors. Incorporating naltrexone into MAT programs, alongside counseling and behavioral therapies, enhances its effectiveness in supporting individuals on their path to recovery from opioid and alcohol dependence.

In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. It is important to always tell your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, as well as the dosage for each, and keep a list of the information. Check with your doctor or health care provider if you have any questions about the medication. For individuals considering Naltrexone for any medical use, consulting with a healthcare provider is essential for personalized advice based on the latest research and individual health considerations.

For Treatment Providers

Medications like Buprenorphine (Suboxone) and Methadone are commonly used to manage opioid dependence. Behavioral therapies and support groups are also essential components of recovery from opioid addiction. There are no data that demonstrate an unequivocally beneficial effect of naltrexone hydrochloride onrates of recidivism among detoxified, formerly opioid-dependent individuals who self-administer thedrug.

• Every month, 150,000 people search for addiction or mental health treatment on Recovery.com.
• If you have any questions about the proper medicine to use, check with your healthcare provider.
• Providers who advertise with us must be verified by our Research Team and we clearly mark their status as advertisers.
• By reinforcing behavioral stability, Naltrexone can play a positive role in helping individuals stay consistent with healthier lifestyle choices.

RFK Jr. says changes to food pyramid will ‘benefit American health’

This will allow your healthcare provider to see if the medicine is drug addiction treatment working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. Read the information carefully and make sure you understand it before receiving this medicine. Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of naltrexone injection in the pediatric population. Naltrexone is only helpful when it is used as part of an addiction treatment program.

Why Do People Abuse Drugs and Alcohol?

Taking naltrexone with opioid use disorder or while opioids are still present in the body causes precipitated withdrawal by displacing opioids from the brain’s opioid receptors. This is why individuals must be opioid-free for at least 7–10 days before starting treatment with naltrexone. Natrexone saves lives and is an important tool for those struggling. Naltrexone treatment is started after you are no longer taking opioids for a period of time.

Naltrexone Hydrochloride Tablets are an opioid antagonist indicated in the treatment of alcohol dependence and for the blockade of the effects of exogenously administered opioids. Naltrexone Hydrochloride tablets are available in generic form. Some notice reduced alcohol cravings within days, while others may take weeks to feel its full impact. Again, consistency is key—taking it daily as prescribed helps it gradually rewire the brain’s response to alcohol, supporting long-term goals of moderation or sobriety.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, over 4,000 overdose deaths occurred in the state in 2021, the highest on record, driven primarily by opioids. Medications like naltrexone are necessary tools in preventing relapse and saving lives. “Naltrexone affects the rewards center of the brain, which blocks the rewarding effects of alcohol.” Recent studies continue to support a decades-old drug as an alternative means of reducing alcohol consumption. This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment.

How Does Naltrexone Work For Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Florida?

You should carry identification to alert medical personnel to the factthat you are taking naltrexone hydrochloride. A naltrexone hydrochloride medication card may beobtained from your physician and can be used https://moygo.com/self-run-self-supported-recovery-houses-6/ for this purpose. Carrying the identification card shouldhelp to ensure that you can obtain adequate treatment in an emergency. If you require medical treatment,be sure to tell the treating physician that you are receiving naltrexone hydrochloride therapy. Youshould take naltrexone hydrochloride as directed by your physician.

What are the side effects of naltrexone?

However, there have been instances where naltrexone has caused false positives for opioids. Confirmatory testing can distinguish naltrexone from opioids, ensuring accurate results. If you live with depression, anxiety, or PTSD, your brain already walks a narrower path. Medications that shift your internal balance — even gently — can feel risky. But if weeks go by and nothing stirs — no spark, no lift, naltrexone side effects not even lightness — don’t keep it to yourself. Sometimes, what feels like medication side effects is really a deeper emotional freeze asking to be thawed, slowly and with help.

Learn more about who naltrexone treatment is for, how it works, what its common side effects are, and more below. Before taking naltrexone, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Naltrexone for Opioid Dependence

The standard dosage for naltrexone varies based on the condition being treated. For OUD, an extended-release intramuscular injection of 380 mg is administered monthly. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) supports these recommendations. Naltrexone stays in your system for 4 to 6 hours after an oral dose and 5 to 10 days after an extended-release injection due to its longer half-life.

• Take this medicine only as directed by your healthcare provider.
• With Naltrexone, it’s not about what hits — it’s about what doesn’t.
• However, taking excessive doses leads to liver toxicity, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
• Clinicians are reminded that there is no completely reliable method for determining whether a patienthas had an adequate opioid-free period.

If you are struggling with addiction, specifically opioid use disorder or alcohol use disorder, naltrexone can help you reduce cravings and cut back on misuse. Although naltrexone is a medication used for AUD and OUD, it is not a cure for addiction. Instead, it is a helpful component of a comprehensive addiction treatment plan that also includes psychotherapy and social support. Remember that use of naltrexone is only part of your treatment. Be sure that you follow all of your healthcare provider’s orders, including seeing your therapist and/or attending support group meetings on a regular basis.