About Naltrexone

Naltrexone is a drug used to aid in the management of opioid and alcohol dependency. Naltrexone is available in the United States under the names Depia and Revia and an extended-release version called Vivitrol. A doctor may prescribe naltrexone to treat alcohol dependence, or opioid dependence if the patient is detoxing quickly. Naltrexone is not generally used to treat drug overdose. Do not take naltrexone unless it has been prescribed by your doctor.

Alcohol Dependence

• Naltrexone is used most commonly to aid patients who are alcohol dependent but are trying to detox from alcohol. Because alcohol dependent patients can have symptoms like nausea, vomiting, insomnia and shaking while detoxing from alcohol, the use of naltrexone will make these symptoms less severe. The common dose of an alcohol dependent patient is a 50 mg tablet or caplet of naltrexone per day to aid in reducing severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Naltrexone can also be injected by a nurse or doctor once daily.

Opioid Dependence

• Naltrexone is used to help reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms from opioid dependence through a process called "rapid detoxification." Rapid detoxification is a medical procedure in which the patient is placed under anesthesia and given naltrexone to induce opioid withdrawal. Because the patient will not be awake during the procedure, the opiates can be removed from the body quickly while under a doctor's care. This can make the opioid withdrawal last several hours instead of several days and shortens recovery time. A patient who has gone through rapid detoxification will need to take naltrexone orally for up to a year following the procedure.

Other Uses

• Naltrexone is sometimes used for sexual dysfunction, as it can induce erections in men with erectile dysfunction. At the University of Chicago, a test determined that naltrexone could help people quit smoking. In a test at Penn State University, naltrexone helped aid in symptoms of Crohn's disease, although more tests will be needed to determine if it will be an FDA-approved treatment for Crohn's. Naltrexone is also given to autistic or developmentally disabled individuals who have problems with self-injuring.

Side Effects

• For men who use naltrexone for sexual dysfunction, a few cases of priapism, where the penis stays erect for an unnatural period of time, has been reported. Common side effects of naltrexone include loss of appetite, chills, muscle pain, energy increase, delayed ejaculation, low energy, stomach pains, joint pain, anxiety, dizziness, constipation, diarrhea, headache, thirstiness, irritability, sleeplessness, nausea, stomach cramps, nervousness and vomiting. Severe side effects include chest tightness, hives, abnormal weakness or tiredness, breathing difficulties, stomach or abdominal pain, a rash, itchiness, mouth swelling, face swelling, white bowel movements, lip or tongue swelling, cramping, suicidal thoughts, dark urine, depression, suicidal behaviors, vomiting or yellow skin and eyes. Contact a doctor immediately if you are experiencing any of these severe side effects.

Warnings

• If you have been given naltrexone to aid in detoxing from alcohol or other drug dependence, inform your doctor if you have relapsed. If you have a history of addictive behaviors or other drug addictions, rapid detoxification may not be recommended as rapid detoxification does not address the patient's mental addiction to drugs. If you are experiencing hallucinations, abdominal pain or swelling in the stomach, go to the emergency room or doctor immediately. Contact your doctor if you are experiencing any of the negative side effects listed above or go to the emergency room if symptoms are severe.