Naltrexone

naltrexone hydrochloride

Naltrexone is used for treating alcoholism and narcotic (opioid) addiction in adults, as part of a complete treatment program. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

What is Naltrexone?

Naltrexone is not a narcotic, but a narcotic antagonist. It works by blocking the effects of narcotics, especially the "high" feeling that makes you want to use them. It also may block the "high" feeling that may make you want to use alcohol. It will not produce any narcotic-like effects or cause mental or physical dependence. It will not prevent you from becoming impaired while drinking alcohol.

Before taking Naltrexone

Some medical conditions may interact with Naltrexone. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have kidney or liver problems, or a history of suicidal thoughts or behavior with or without depression

How should I take Naltrexone?

Use Naltrexone as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Naltrexone may be taken with or without food.
• Naltrexone should not be taken until the naltrexone challenge test is negative.
• Before taking Naltrexone, you must be willing to take Naltrexone to help with alcohol dependence, you must be free of substance abuse for 7 to 10 days, you must not have any severe or active liver or kidney problems, and you must not have any other medical problems or conditions that make taking Naltrexone inadvisable.
• If you miss a dose of Naltrexone and you are taking 1 dose daily, do no try to make up the missed dose by doubling the dose the next day. Take the next scheduled dose and consult your doctor.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Naltrexone.

Naltrexone side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them. More common side effects:

• Abdominal or stomach cramping or pain (mild or moderate)
• Anxiety, nervousness, restlessness and/or trouble in sleeping
• Headache
• Joint or muscle pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Unusual tiredness

Precautions

Naltrexone may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Naltrexone. Using Naltrexone alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.

Drug interactions

The pain-relieving effects of any narcotic pain medications you use will be blocked if you use them during your treatment with naltrexone oral. Harmful side effects could also occur. Before using naltrexone, tell your doctor if you use any of the following drugs:

• buprenorphine (Buprenex, Subutex);
• butorphanol (Stadol);
• codeine (Tylenol with codeine);
• hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin);
• dezocine (Dalgan);
• hydromorphone (Dilaudid);
• levorphanol (Levo-Dromoran);
• meperidine (Demerol);
• methadone (Dolophine, Methadose);
• morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Roxanol);
• nalbuphine (Nubain);
• nalmefene (Revex);
• naloxone (Narcan);
• oxycodone (OxyContin, Roxicodone, Percocet);
• oxymorphone (Numorphan); or
• propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet).

Preganacy

If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Naltrexone during pregnancy. It is unknown if Naltrexone is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Naltrexone, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, stomach pain, dizziness, or seizure (convulsions).

Notes

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Naltrexone. If you have any other questions about Naltrexone, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.