Side Effects of Naltrexone: What You Should Know Before Starting

If you or a loved one is taking naltrexone and is concerned about changes in weight while on this medication, consider talking to your doctor for further guidance. When taking naltrexone for a substance use disorder, there are various factors that can influence changes in weight. Changes in weight while taking naltrexone may be influenced by the dose taken, dietary habits, and other personal factors during treatment.

High Dose Naltrexone Comparison

Doses below 100 mg appear to be very safe, other than these side effects we just talked about—the weird intoxication and the G.I. It’s pretty hard to hurt someone with naltrexone unless they’re opiate-dependent and having those side effects. But if naltrexone side effects you escalate doses, risks do increase, and you want to have a professional working with you at that point. There are also some gastrointestinal side effects of naltrexone. Most of them aren’t bothersome enough for people to stop medication. Some of us are willing to tolerate some medication side effects if we’re getting better as a result.

❓ Is Naltrexone An Opioid?

And to connect with a provider who can determine whether naltrexone is medically appropriate for you, complete an online assessment. Naltrexone is used to help patient with opioid use disorder who have stopped taking opioids to stay drug-free and maintain their recovery. 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. Patientstransitioning from buprenorphine or methadone may be vulnerable to precipitation of withdrawalsymptoms for as long as 2 weeks. Healthcare providers should be prepared to manage withdrawalsymptomatically with non-opioid medications.

Combining Naltrexone and Bupropion for Weight Loss

• When combined with counseling, this approach is proven highly effective.
• Check with your healthcare provider right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin.
• If you are struggling with addiction, specifically opioid use disorder or alcohol use disorder, naltrexone can help you reduce cravings and cut back on misuse.
• Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of naltrexone in the pediatric population.

Oar’s clinical experts recommend taking naltrexone for at least one year. If it’s your first time hearing about naltrexone or medication as a treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder, amphetamine addiction treatment you’re not alone. Learn more about who naltrexone treatment is for, how it works, what its common side effects are, and more below.

Contact a healthcare provider right away for any of the following symptoms. Vivitrol may cause some discomfort near where it is injected, mild discomfort is a normal side effect. Sometimes the amount of discomfort may be high, which could be a sign of a more serious reaction. When starting low dose naltrexone (LDN), many patients initiate treatment with a small dose, typically beginning at 0.5 mg. This is significantly lower than the usual dosage of naltrexone, which ranges from 50mg to 100mg per day for opioid addiction. Further studies are essential to fully understand the anti-inflammatory effects of LDN and its potential as a novel anti-inflammatory treatment.

• That said, the combination of naltrexone with the antidepressant bupropion is often more effective.
• Naltrexone side effects typically resolve within a few days to weeks as your body adjusts to the medication.
• If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away.

You have been prescribed naltrexone hydrochloride as part of the comprehensive treatment for youralcoholism or drug dependence. You should carry identification to alert medical personnel to the factthat you are taking naltrexone hydrochloride. A naltrexone hydrochloride medication card may beobtained from your physician and can be used for this purpose. Carrying the identification card shouldhelp to ensure that you can obtain adequate treatment in an emergency.

Other Conditions

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about naltrexone. Naltrexone is also available as the brand name drug Vivitrol, which comes as an injection. After naltrexone is injected into your body, it is impossible to remove it. Be sure to follow all your doctor’s orders, too, including meeting your therapist or attending support groups.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

Stopping the medication without medical guidance is not advised. Consulting a healthcare provider is crucial if side effects interfere with daily life or if there are concerns about discontinuing treatment. It is vital for these patients to undergo a medically supervised withdrawal process to ensure all opioids are cleared from their system before starting naltrexone. To prevent this, individuals must ensure that opioid medications are fully cleared from their system before beginning naltrexone treatment.

Problems With Using Naltrexone for Long-Term Weight Loss

Continuing our exploration, it’s crucial to address LDN’s legal status and availability. Although naltrexone is FDA-approved, its low-dose form for conditions like autoimmune diseases and chronic pain is usually an off-label use. Finally, there’s emerging evidence about the role of LDN in mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Its mechanism involving endorphins and opioid receptors can influence mood and may offer a new avenue in mental health treatment. Others take it only before drinking, following the Sinclair Method.

Naltrexone is a generic prescription drug used to treat certain substance use disorders. Naltrexone oral tablet does not come in any brand-name versions. This drug can cause mild to serious side effects, including sleep changes. Should you wish to stop naltrexone, call your healthcare provider.