Naltrexone: A Clinically Proven Aid for Alcohol Cessation
| Product dosage: 50mg | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Package (num) | Per pill | Price | Buy |
| 30 | $7.19 | $215.83 (0%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 60 | $6.81 | $431.65 $408.46 (5%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 90 | $6.67
Best per pill | $647.48 $600.08 (7%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
Synonyms | |||
Naltrexone is a prescription medication approved by the FDA for the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD). It functions as an opioid receptor antagonist, working to reduce the craving for alcohol and diminishing the pleasurable effects associated with its consumption. When integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan that includes counseling and behavioral therapy, Naltrexone provides a scientifically-backed pharmacological tool to support individuals striving for sobriety. Its efficacy is well-documented in clinical studies, making it a cornerstone in modern addiction medicine protocols for managing alcohol dependence.
Features
- Pharmaceutical Name: Naltrexone Hydrochloride
- Available Formulations: Oral tablets (50 mg standard) and extended-release intramuscular injectable suspension
- Mechanism of Action: Opioid receptor antagonist
- FDA-Approved Indication: Treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD)
- Prescription Status: Requires a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider
- Bioavailability: Oral formulation has 5-40% bioavailability; injectable provides sustained release over approximately 4 weeks
Benefits
- Reduces Alcohol Cravings: Acts on the brain’s reward pathways to significantly decrease the urge to drink alcohol.
- Diminishes Alcohol’s Rewarding Effects: Makes drinking less pleasurable, which can help break the cycle of reinforcement.
- Supports Long-Term Abstinence Goals: Clinical trials demonstrate higher rates of abstinence compared to placebo over treatment periods.
- Integrates with Comprehensive Therapy: Serves as an effective pharmacological adjunct to counseling and psychosocial support.
- Available in Multiple Formulations: Offers flexibility with a daily oral option or a monthly injectable for improved adherence.
Common use
Naltrexone is indicated for use in adults as part of a comprehensive management program for alcohol dependence. It is prescribed for patients who have undergone successful alcohol detoxification and are motivated to maintain a state of abstinence. The medication is used to help these patients avoid relapse to heavy drinking. It is not a standalone cure for alcoholism but a tool to be used alongside behavioral interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Treatment is typically initiated after a patient has remained abstinent from alcohol for a minimum of 3-7 days to mitigate the risk of precipitated withdrawal.
Dosage and direction
Initial Dose: Treatment must be initiated under the supervision of a physician. The standard initial oral dose is 25 mg once daily for the first few days to assess tolerability, often taken with food or antacids to minimize nausea. Maintenance Dose: The recommended maintenance dose for oral Naltrexone is 50 mg once daily. Injectable Formulation: The extended-release injectable suspension (380 mg) is administered intramuscularly by a healthcare professional every 4 weeks, alternating gluteal muscles. Direction: Oral tablets should be taken as prescribed, typically with a full glass of water. It is crucial to adhere strictly to the prescribed dosing schedule. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet. The effectiveness of Naltrexone is greatest when taken consistently, not on an “as-needed” basis prior to anticipated drinking occasions, unless specifically directed by a physician as part of a targeted protocol.
Precautions
- Hepatotoxicity: Naltrexone has the potential to cause dose-related hepatocellular injury. Liver function tests are recommended before initiation and during therapy.
- Depression and Suicidality: Clinicians should monitor patients for the development of depression or suicidal ideation.
- Opioid Blockade: Patients must be made fully aware that they will not respond to opioid analgesics. A printed warning card is advised.
- Abrupt Discontinuation: There is no evidence of a Naltrexone withdrawal syndrome upon cessation; however, discontinuing medication can lead to a return of alcohol cravings.
- Renal Impairment: Use with caution in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment.
- Pregnancy and Nursing: The use of Naltrexone in pregnant women or nursing mothers should be considered only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus or infant.
Contraindications
- Patients receiving opioid analgesics.
- Patients currently dependent on opioids, including those currently maintained on opiate agonists (e.g., methadone) or partial agonists (e.g., buprenorphine), or in acute opioid withdrawal.
- Patients with acute hepatitis or liver failure.
- Patients who have failed the naloxone challenge test or have a positive urine screen for opioids.
- Known hypersensitivity to Naltrexone or any other components of the formulated product.
Possible side effect
Common side effects are often transient and may include:
- Nausea (~10%)
- Headache (~7%)
- Dizziness (~4%)
- Nervousness, anxiety, or sleep difficulty (Insomnia)
- Fatigue or drowsiness Less common but more serious side effects require immediate medical attention:
- Signs of allergic reaction (e.g., hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat)
- Severe skin reactions
- Dark urine, pale stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) indicating potential liver problems
- Unusual depression or suicidal thoughts
- Visual hallucinations
- Pneumonitis (specifically associated with the injectable formulation)
Drug interaction
- Opioid Medications: Naltrexone will block the effects of opioid analgesics, agonists (e.g., morphine, methadone, oxycodone), and partial agonists (e.g., buprenorphine). Attempting to overcome this blockade by taking large doses of opioids is extremely dangerous and can lead to fatal overdose, coma, or death.
- Opioid-Containing Medications: Patients must avoid medications containing opioids, such as some cough suppressants (e.g., codeine), antidiarrheal preparations (e.g., Lomotil), and certain pain medications.
- Thioridazine: Concomitant use may lead to increased drowsiness and lethargy.
- CNS Depressants: May potentiate the sedative effects of other drugs that cause CNS depression (e.g., benzodiazepines, barbiturates).
Missed dose
If a dose of oral Naltrexone is missed, it should be taken as soon as it is remembered that day. However, if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, the missed dose should be skipped, and the regular dosing schedule resumed. Do not double the dose to make up for a missed one. For patients on the monthly injectable formulation, contact the healthcare provider to reschedule the missed injection.
Overdose
In the case of a suspected overdose, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. There is no specific antidote for Naltrexone overdose. Management involves symptomatic and supportive care. It is critical to inform emergency personnel that the patient is taking Naltrexone, as it will render standard opioid analgesics ineffective for pain management. Overdose may present as an extension of its pharmacological effects, but data on single-ingredient Naltrexone overdose is limited.
Storage
Store Naltrexone tablets at room temperature (20°-25°C or 68°-77°F), in a tightly closed container, away from light, moisture, and heat. Do not store in a bathroom. Keep all medications out of the reach of children and pets. The injectable suspension is stored refrigerated; it is administered by a healthcare professional who will handle its preparation and storage appropriately.
Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before starting any new treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. Reliance on any information provided herein is solely at your own risk.
Reviews
“Clinical evidence for Naltrexone’s efficacy is robust. Multiple meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials, such as those published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, consistently show that it significantly reduces the risk of heavy drinking relapse. It is considered a first-line pharmacotherapy option in evidence-based guidelines for AUD management.” – Addiction Medicine Specialist
“From a patient perspective, Naltrexone was a game-changer in my recovery. It didn’t magically fix everything, but it took the intense ’edge’ off the cravings. It allowed me to engage meaningfully in therapy without being constantly preoccupied by the urge to drink. The monthly injection option was crucial for me, as it removed the daily reminder of being in treatment.” – Patient, 4 years in recovery