Define Naltrexone
Naltrexone is an opioid (narcotic) antagonist that is used to treat drug and alcohol addiction. It works by blocking the euphoric effects of narcotic drugs, such as, cocaine, morphine and heroine.
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For Alcohol Dependence
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The dose for treating alcohol addiction is one 50 mg tablet a day or a 380 mg injection once a month. Alcohol consumption while taking naltrexone doesn't cause any ill effects.
For Opiate Dependence
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People addicted to narcotics should not have taken any opiates for at least a week prior to taking naltrexone. The dose should start from 25 mg a day and may be increased to 50 mg a day.
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Drug Interactions
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Narcotic painkillers will lose their effectiveness if used in conjunction with naltrexone. Combining naltrexone and narcotic painkillers can also cause harmful side effects.
Serious Side Effects
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The serious side effects of naltrexone require immediate medical attention include: increased heart rate, fuzzy vision, mood swings, hallucination, nausea, itchy rashes and breathing problems.
Mild Side Effects
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The mild side effects of naltrexone include: anxiety, light-headedness, muscle or joint pain, fatigue, sleeplessness and a diminished sex drive.
Brand Names
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Naltrexone is a generic name for the brands ReVia, Depade and Vivitrol.
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