Yashoda Hospitals > Medicine FAQS > Naltrexone

Naltrexone: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What is Naltrexone?

Naltrexone is a medication used for the treatment of opioid addiction. Naltrexone binds with the opioid receptors and blocks them, leading to the blockage of euphoric and sedative actions of opioids. Naltrexone is available in both oral and injection formulations. It helps reduce or suppress cravings and does not have any significant withdrawal effects.

What are the uses of Naltrexone?

  • One of the primary uses of Naltrexone is in the management of opioid addiction as medication-assisted treatment. It helps block the effects of opioid drugs that could include pain relief, feeling of euphoria, or sedation.
  • Naltrexone is also used in Alcohol use disorder (AUD) as it reduces the craving for alcohol. It also helps reduce the frequency of drinking or abstaining from alcohol.
  • Naltrexone helps to reduce the withdrawal symptoms of opioids and alcohol.

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    What are the side effects of Naltrexone?

    Common side effects

    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Headache
    • Tiredness
    • Joint pain
    • Muscle pain
    • Dizziness
    • Sleepiness
    • Injection site reactions

    Serious side effects

    • Shallow breathing
    • Wheezing
    • Severe Chest pain
    • Hypersensitivity reaction
    • Jaundice
    • Depression
    • Pneumonia

    The majorities of these side effects are mild and tend to resolve without any medical intervention. However, if any symptoms start to bother you or get worse, you should immediately seek medical attention.

    What is Naltrexone

    Uses of Naltrexone

    Side effects of Naltrexone

    References

    Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Naltrexone

    Naltrexone is known to affect mood in various ways. It could lead to dysphoria as it blocks euphoria. It makes people calm, but prolonged use can lead to depression and feeling low. It could further make people stop the treatment. Consult our team of medical experts for the best opinions regarding the use of Naltrexone.

    Naltrexone acts on the opioid receptors and blocks the effects of various opioid drugs, such as euphoria, or feeling high all the time. If the happiness is related to being euphoric, then Naltrexone blocks that kind of happiness. Overall, people feel happy once they use Naltrexone and get rid of opioid or alcohol abuse.

    Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist which acts on opioid receptors and blocks them. Naltrexone is not known to exhibit any specific action on caffeine. Additionally, there are no reported interactions between caffeine and Naltrexone. You can reach out to our consultants for expert opinions on the use of Naltrexone and its interactions.

    Naltrexone is a prescription medication and should be strictly taken as directed by your physician. However, there is no specific time to take Naltrexone, which means you can take it at night as well. Higher doses (>50 mg) will produce a 24-hour effect, so the time of taking Naltrexone becomes irrelevant. Always make sure that Naltrexone is taken at the same time every day.

    Naltrexone is a prescription medication and should be taken as directed by your physician. Depending upon your age, gender, body weight, health condition, your doctor could advise you to take it in two divided doses, but self-medication should not be practiced as it could cause severe side effects.

    You can take Naltrexone with or without food; however, taking Naltrexone with foods helps prevent various side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or abdominal discomfort. Consult our doctors for expert opinions on the use of Naltrexone.

    Naltrexone is contraindicated in the following situations:
    • Acute Hepatitis
    • Severe hepatic impairment
    • Severe kidney dysfunction
    • Known hypersensitivity to Naltrexone
    • In combination with methadone
    • In combination with opioid medications
    • Patients (addicted to opioids) with a current abuse of opioids
    • Patients failing the Naltrexone provocation test
    Further, consult our doctors for expert medical advice around the use of Naltrexone.

    Although Naltrexone is a safe drug, its use has been associated with memory loss issues, such as difficulty in verbal tasks or issues with word recognition. The memory loss could be short-term and usually reversible, i.e., you get your memory back after discontinuing the drug. Reach out to our experts for the management of side effects while on Naltrexone.

    Tiredness is a common side effect associated with the use of drugs acting on opioid receptors. Naltrexone is known to cause tiredness in large doses as it blocks the feeling of euphoria due to opioids. In a few cases, tiredness could also be the result of the withdrawal of opioids.

    Naltrexone has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties, especially at low doses. Naltrexone is believed to work by reducing inflammatory neurotransmitters such as cytokines. Naltrexone is effective in reducing inflammation in conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic pain, etc. Consult our team of medical experts for the best medications for inflammation.