Naltrexone Side Effects: Duration and Management

The benefits of Naltrexone in treating opioid and alcohol dependence often outweigh the risks for many patients. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Keep in mind that digestive symptoms can also occur with opioid withdrawal.

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It is possible that naltrexone may need to be discontinued, which should only be done with the guidance of your healthcare provider. Immediately notify your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following serious side effects. The efficacy of naltrexone hydrochloride as an aid to the treatment of alcoholism was tested inplacebo-controlled, outpatient, double blind trials. These studies used a dose of naltrexonehydrochloride 50 mg once daily for 12 weeks as an adjunct to social and psychotherapeutic methodswhen given under conditions that enhanced patient compliance. Patients with psychosis, alcohol rehab dementia, andsecondary psychiatric diagnoses were excluded from these studies. The mechanism of action of naltrexone hydrochloride in alcoholism is not understood; however,involvement of the endogenous opioid system is suggested by preclinical data.

Clinical Trials

A minor side effect such as nausea resulting from low dose naltrexone (e.g. 25 mg) may become significantly more intense at a higher dose (e.g. 100 mg). The body may be able to tolerate naltrexone up to a certain dose without side effects, but once that threshold dose is exceeded, the body reacts with side effects. Endorphins and enkephalins are understood to help alleviate pain, but their effects may be blocked by naltrexone – causing us to experience more pain than usual in joints and muscles. It also could be that the side effect of pain occurs as a result of alterations in peripheral blood flow. A decrease in peripheral blood flow coupled with attenuation of endogenous analgesia may explain joint and muscle pain as a side effect.

Long-Term Effects Of Naltrexone

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. For more information about the possible side effects of naltrexone, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

The subsections below will compare naltrexone vs suboxone and methadone in terms of side effects and safety. Most side effects are temporary, but persistent issues should be addressed promptly to ensure the treatment’s naltrexone side effects effectiveness and the patient’s well-being. While these side effects can be challenging, they often diminish as the body acclimates to the medication.

It has been shown in numerous studies to reduce heavy drinking, frequency of drinking, cravings for alcohol and relapse to alcohol dependence. Naltrexone HCL (hydrochloride), oral naltrexone medication, comes in 50mg tablet form and is taken daily by mouth. If you’re interested in naltrexone, complete our online assessment and Oar will connect you with a licensed medical professional who can determine whether a prescription is right for you. Cases of hepatitis and clinically significant liver dysfunction were observed in association withnaltrexone hydrochloride exposure during the clinical development program and in the postmarketingperiod. Transient, asymptomatic hepatic transaminase elevations were also observed in the clinical trialsand postmarketing period.

Allergic reaction

• To avoid this, try taking your dose with a meal or snack to help buffer any potential stomach upset.
• The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug.
• For those experiencing less significant benefit from naltrexone, it may be tougher to decide whether to continue treatment.

Naltrexone is used to prevent people who have been addicted to certain drugs (opiates) from taking them again. It is used as part of a complete treatment program for drug abuse (e.g., compliance monitoring, counseling, behavioral contract, lifestyle changes). This medication must not be used in people currently taking opiates, including methadone.

What may interact with this medication?

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of https://www.ilans.co.il/alcohol-intolerance-and-allergies-symptoms-causes/ any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first. If you’re struggling with an opioid or alcohol addiction, naltrexone treatment could be beneficial as part of your treatment plan. To learn more about your treatment options, including inpatient facilities that utilize naltrexone, contact a treatment provider today. Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medication. For this medication to be most effective, you should attend any counseling or support groups that your care team recommends.

Whenever a larger dose of naltrexone is ingested, it exerts a more significant effect upon the user’s neurophysiology. To put things in perspective, a dosage of 100 mg naltrexone will antagonize opioid receptors to a greater extent than a dosage of just 25 mg. The dosage of naltrexone administered can influence the number and severity of side effects experienced. In general, the higher the dosage of naltrexone ingested for the management of alcohol or opioid dependence, the greater the likelihood of side effects. Contrarily, the lower the dosage of naltrexone ingested, the less likely a user will experience side effects.

Supporting a Loved One During Naltrexone Program

Nonetheless, if you are concerned about potential eyesight changes resulting from naltrexone, consult an ophthalmologist for a professional opinion. It is possible that naltrexone reduces arousal and/or simultaneously modulates activity within the visual processing centers of the brain – leading some to perceive visual changes. These vision changes are likely benign, but certainly capable of catching your attention. If you experience a skin rash, realize that it could be the sign of an adverse event and that it is smart to seek immediate medical attention. Keep in mind that it’s not always predictable as to whether the rash will be isolated to a particular area (such as around the injection site) or widespread.