Naltrexone Revia: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start to feel more depressed. Also tell your healthcare provider right away if you have thoughts about hurting yourself. Report any unusual thoughts or behaviors that trouble you, especially if they are new or get worse quickly. Also tell your healthcare provider if you have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, Alcoholics Anonymous angry, restless, violent, or scared.

Does naltrexone cause changes in weight?

• Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to naltrexone, as the reaction could become severe.
• When combined with counseling, this approach is proven highly effective.
• The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended.
• These withdrawal symptoms can be severe and may require immediate medical attention.

Drowsiness experienced from naltrexone may be improved with dosage modifications and/or concurrent usage of a non-contraindicated stimulatory agent. Discuss various interventions for reducing naltrexone-induced drowsiness with a medical professional. Furthermore, consider that the dizzy feeling may be a result of combining naltrexone with another substance (e.g. alcohol), or possibly a symptom of recent substance discontinuation. To cope with dizzy spells treatment, you drug addiction treatment may want to simply lie down until they pass.

Missed Dose

Before using Vivitrol, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. Stop using Vivitrol and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction. Naltrexone belongs to a class of drugs known as opiate antagonists. It works in the brain to prevent opiate effects (e.g., feelings of well-being, pain relief).

Does Vivitrol interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

To minimize discomfort and get the most benefit from Naltrexone, follow these tips and work closely with your doctor. Calling the number is free and confidential, but treatment services may involve costs depending on your insurance coverage and the level of care required. You are under no obligation to engage in care with Treatment X. If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please contact at We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Some of these non-hepatic genes may increase ability to tolerate naltrexone, whereas others may decrease this ability.

Clinical Trials and Research

The body’s reaction to drugs like naltrexone can vary from person to person based on a number of genetic, biological, and personal factors. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that binds to and blocks opioid receptors in the brain, and alters the activity of the brain chemicals dopamine and serotonin. Nausea while taking naltrexone is believed to be tied to this interaction with the body’s opioid receptors, which are involved in the regulation of hormones, digestion, and pain perception. Gastrointestinal complaints, such as nausea and upset stomach, are common side effects of naltrexone, also known as Vivitrol or ReVia. If nausea does occur while taking naltrexone, talk to a doctor before making any adjustments to your treatment.

In any regard, while most individuals will find naltrexone to be tolerable with few unwanted side effects, others may have a less tolerable experience. If your body is reacting poorly to naltrexone and the side effects are overwhelming, your doctor should be able to come up with an alternative intervention. Understand that it is ultimately up to you to decide whether the benefits of using naltrexone outweigh the drawbacks, as well as whether it’s worth continuing.

• Our compassionate team provides personalized treatment plans to guide you toward a healthier, addiction-free life.
• Vivitrol (naltrexone) is commonly used for the following conditions.
• Naltrexone oral tablet does not come in any brand-name versions.
• Your healthcare provider may need to do the naloxone challenge test or a urine test for opioids to make sure you are opioid-free.
• The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients.

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of naltrexone in geriatric patients.

• However, remember that these side effects are not experienced by everyone.
• Starting medication-assisted treatment can be a powerful step towards recovery, but it’s natural to have concerns about how it may affect you.
• Theoharides et al. (2019) — Demonstrated that mast cells and microglia play a major role in chronic pain and that therapies modulating these pathways—like LDN—can offer relief.

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If you take Naltrexone with opioids or other drugs that slow down the nervous system, you may have serious problems. These can include difficulty breathing and falling into a coma. Make sure to inform your doctor of all medications you are taking before starting Naltrexone. The form of naltrexone you take can impact how likely you are to experience nausea and how severe it might be. Oral naltrexone tablets (ReVia, Depade) are taken daily and can cause nausea more frequently because the medication passes through your digestive system every day. Taking the pill on an empty stomach tends to make nausea worse, which is why doctors often recommend taking it with food or at bedtime to minimize this side effect.

• Keep in mind that irregular heartbeat may also be a withdrawal symptom resulting from recent discontinuation of an opioid medication.
• Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.

Researchers synthesized naltrexone in 1963, and the FDA approved it in 1984 for treating opioid addiction. Additionally, clinicians use LDN off-label to treat conditions like fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. 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 you escalate doses, risks do increase, and you want to have a professional working with you at that point.

Other individuals may continue to experience nausea regardless of their dosage and/or how long they’ve been using the drug. Besides taking naltrexone with food, some may want to consider a safe adjunctive antiemetic agent – this should decrease likelihood of nausea and vomiting. Always consult a medical professional if the nausea is severe enough to significantly impair quality of life or occupational performance. Low dose naltrexone (LDN) operates by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, which in turn stimulates the production of endogenous opioids.

Side effects can vary depending on individual factors such as overall health, dosage, and how the body responds to the medication. Understanding what Naltrexone is, how it works, and what side effects to watch for can help you feel more in control of your treatment process. While many people tolerate it well, some may experience nausea, fatigue, headaches, or mood shifts.