Naltrexone

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.

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What is it used for?

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.

How to use Naltrexone?

Naltrexone is taken by mouth with or without food, usually 50 milligrams once daily or as directed by your doctor.

Effects of Naloxone

Naloxone cannot be used to get high, so it has no potential for misuse. There is no evidence that extended use of naloxone can cause harmful physical effects or dependence. People who take naloxone do not develop a tolerance to its effects and there have been no reported deaths from naloxone overdose.

What other drugs will affect Naltrexone?

Narcotic Medicines

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

Other drugs may interact with naltrexone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Side Effects of
Naltrexone

There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries risk.

Using opioid medicine while taking naltrexone

Using opioid medicine while you are taking naltrexone could stimulate opioid withdrawal symptoms. Common withdrawal symptoms are yawning, irritability, sweating, fever, chills, shaking, vomiting, diarrhea, watery eyes, runny nose, goose bumps, body aches, trouble sleeping, and feeling restless.

Common side effects may include:

  • Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
  • Headache, dizziness, drowsiness;
  • Feeling anxious or nervous;
  • Sleep problems (insomnia); or
  • Muscle or joint aches

Immediate attention is required if any of the following happen:

  • Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
  • Mood changes, confusion, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things);
  • Depression, thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself
  • Liver problems–nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).