Naltrexone blocks the effects of opioid medication including pain relief or feelings of well-being that can lead to opioid abuse. Naltrexone is used as part of a treatment program for drug or alcohol dependence.
Naltrexone is used to prevent relapse in people who became dependent on opioid medicine and then stopped using it. Naltrexone can help keep you from feeling a “need” to use the opioid.
Naltrexone is also used to treat alcoholism by reducing your urge to drink alcohol. This may help you drink less or stop drinking completely. Naltrexone will not cause you to “sober up” and will not decrease the effects of alcohol you recently consumed.
Naltrexone is not a cure for drug addiction or alcoholism.
Naltrexone will block the effects of any narcotic medicines you take (such as prescription medicine for pain, cough, or diarrhea). Harmful side effects could also occur.
Other drugs may interact with naltrexone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries risk.