Naltrexone: Medication for Alcohol Use Disorder
Everyone’s recovery journey is unique and Naltrexone can affect people differently based on individual health and medical history. That’s why it’s important to work closely with your provider to monitor your progress and adjust treatment as needed. Most importantly, working with your provider can ensure this medication is a safe and effective fit for naltrexone side effects you. The good news is that most are mild and temporary, especially as your body adjusts.
Typical dosages
Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist medication used to treat alcohol dependence and opioid use disorder. It works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, Drug rehabilitation reducing cravings and the pleasurable effects of alcohol and opioids. Unlike opioids, it is non-addictive and does not produce euphoric effects.
Human PET study
- When you drink alcohol, your brain releases a flood of endorphins—those feel-good chemicals that create a sense of euphoria.
- By doing this, it blocks the effects of opioids, including the euphoric and sedative sensations produced by substances like heroin, morphine, and codeine.
- If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.
- When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below.
After naltrexone is injected into your body, it is impossible to remove it. RxList does not provide https://camdenmilitary.us/48-best-one-year-sober-and-addiction-recovery/ medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur.
Naltrexone Treatment for Opioid and Alcohol Use Disorders
- “We do not suggest moderation in any way for people struggling with alcohol use disorder or any type of dependence to alcohol or other substances,” she noted.
- Naltrexone is more than just a medication; it’s a tool for transformation.
- We love to share our sources, so click through our Reference Library for more resources, peer-reviewed studies, and articles on naltrexone, Alcohol Use Disorder, and more.
- However, the side effects of naltrexone are rare and usually mild; the most common is nausea.To minimize the risk of side effects, Oar’s clinical experts recommend ramping up to a full 50mg dose over one week.
Some may only need it for a few months, while others might benefit from taking naltrexone long-term. Imagine you’re at a concert, but someone has turned down the volume on the music. You can still hear it, but the experience isn’t as thrilling. For many, this is the hook that keeps them coming back for more. Naltrexone steps in by blocking the brain’s opioid receptors, which are responsible for processing these endorphins.