Naltrexone oral tablet side effects: Mild to serious

This highlights the importance of a medically supervised withdrawal process. Half life is a measure of how long it would take half of a dose of a drug to be processed and eliminated. For naltrexone, the average elimination half-life of naltrexone is between 4 hours and 13 hours. Additionally, a multitude of personal factors like age, chronic illness, body mass, hydration, and metabolism can all impact how long naltrexone lasts in your system. A healthcare provider may prescribe naloxone together with naltrexone for those being treated for opioid use disorder.

Interactions with medications, foods, and supplements

With off-label use, amphetamine addiction treatment a drug is prescribed for a use not approved by the FDA. At lower dosages, naltrexone works differently in the body and has been reported to cause fewer side effects. As with most drugs, naltrexone oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Keep in mind that digestive symptoms can also occur with opioid withdrawal.

Muscle and joint pain

However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. For more information about the possible side effects of naltrexone, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome. Naltrexone injection comes as a solution (liquid) to be given by injection into the muscle of the buttocks by a healthcare provider once every 4 weeks. You may experience nausea after the first injection of this medicine that should be mild and subside a few days afterwards.

Naltrexone side effects

• The liver processes Naltrexone, and in rare cases, it can cause liver toxicity, especially at high doses.
• Find rehab for yourself or a loved one by speaking with a treatment provider.
• Your doctor may order certain laboratory tests to check your body’s response to naltrexone.
• Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, which leads to chronic inflammation and often hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid).

However, Naltrexone, like any other medication, can come with side effects. Naltrexone is not addictive but can help users overcome addictions to certain dangerous substances, such heroin addiction as alcohol and opioids. This non-addictive nature of naltrexone is also why experts prefer prescribing it to addicts instead of other alternatives, such as methadone. The only drawback of naltrexone is its side effects, most of which fortunately remain manageable. Certain people may experience intense nausea or throwing up, especially after receiving the injectable form of naltrexone. This side effect is particularly prevalent in first-timer users and, fortunately, goes away in a few days without requiring intervention.

• Some users will report that naltrexone is highly effective for managing their substance dependence, but also that they experience several unwanted side effects.
• Some individuals explore LDN as part of integrative medicine or complementary therapies.
• Understanding the duration of potential side effects is crucial when taking any medication.
• The form of naltrexone you take can impact how likely you are to experience nausea and how severe it might be.
• Even when someone does drink, naltrexone helps them drink less and helps prevent potential brief recurrences that could turn into a full return to use.

Patients should be aware of these symptoms and seek medical help promptly if they experience any signs of a serious allergic reaction or an allergic reaction. Naltrexone has been shown to increase the incidence of early fetal loss in high doses in animal studies. There are no adequate or well-controlled studies of naltrexone in pregnant women.

In this manner, naltrexone is used for what is known as medication-assisted treatment (MAT), where medicines are used to assist with treating alcohol and opioid use disorders. Naltrexone is sometimes preferred over methadone and buprenorphine as its use and availability are not as restricted. Naltrexone is prescribed after you’ve stopped drinking alcohol. The medication helps reduce the rewarding feelings you may get from drinking alcohol and the cravings you may have for alcohol.

• This medication must not be used in people currently taking opiates, including methadone.
• You will need to stop using opioids for at least 7 to 10 days before you can start taking naltrexone.
• While the oral form of Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors, only the long-acting injectable formulation is FDA approved for opioid addiction.
• You may also need to carry a letter to let others know you are receiving this medicine in case you have a medical emergency.

Additionally, adopting a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce discomfort when you take naltrexone. Understanding these risk factors can help patients and healthcare providers take necessary precautions to minimize side effects. Patients should be aware of these potential side effects and consult their healthcare provider if they experience any following symptoms. The severity of naltrexone’s side effects can range from mild to severe. Mild side effects might include minor gastrointestinal discomfort or fatigue, which generally do not require medical intervention.

Individuals who are worried about misusing opioids, alcohol, or medications can call a local or national hotline to receive addiction assistance. Naltrexone alone is known to decrease appetite and reduce the appeal of food. This is typically the use for individuals attempting smoking cessation or beginning medications that are known to cause weight gain. Naltrexone is generally not used as a weight loss adjuvant on its own, though several compounding pharmacies market it as a weight-loss tool. It is a prescription drug and must be used under the supervision of a healthcare provider.

Your body must be opioid-free for 7-10 days before starting naltrexone. If there are still opioids in your system, taking naltrexone can cause sudden and intense withdrawal symptoms. That’s because the medication blocks opioid receptors but doesn’t activate them – so it won’t help with withdrawal. It’s designed to be used after you’re clear of opioids in your system and are past the withdrawal phase of recovery. Naltrexone has shown great potential in assisting people overcome various addictions.