Also, because naltrexone is an opioid blocker, it can cause problems for people who are using opioids, either prescription medicines or illegal drugs, she said. So people taking naltrexone would not be able to use opioid pain medications if they needed them for surgery or other pain. 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. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.
- This makes it dangerous to operate machinery or drive, even if the drinker doesn’t feel intoxicated.
- Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.
- Its use in alcoholism treatment is based on the premise that it can reduce the pleasurable effects of alcohol and diminish the craving for it.
- There is limited clinical experience with naltrexone hydrochloride overdosage in humans.
Dangers of mixing naltrexone and alcohol
If you have muscle or joint pain during naltrexone treatment, talk with your doctor. They may suggest over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). If you notice sleep changes during naltrexone treatment, talk with your doctor.
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- The mean elimination half-life (T-1/2) values fornaltrexone and 6-ß-naltrexol are 4 hours and 13 hours, respectively.
- Anumber of alternative dosing patterns have been recommended to try to reduce the frequency of thesecomplaints.
- Because many drugs areexcreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when naltrexone hydrochloride is administered to anursing woman.
- We are an addiction treatment center that treats adults with substance use and mental health disorders.
Why Do People Drink on Naltrexone?
In addition to being used in OUD treatment, it is also used to help individuals with alcohol use disorder. Depression, suicide, attempted suicide and suicidal ideation have been reported in the postmarketingexperience with naltrexone hydrochloride used in the treatment of opioid dependence. In the literature, endogenous opioids have been theorized tocontribute to a variety of conditions. A flexible approach to a dosing regimen may need to be employed in cases of supervisedadministration.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
If you aren’t sure when you can safely drink after stopping naltrexone, it’s best to consult your doctor. Although the effects of naltrexone and alcohol combination generally aren’t dangerous, drinking alcohol, especially in large quantities, can still impact your opioid recovery journey. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist drug used for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD).
The patients involved were generally clinicallyasymptomatic, and the transaminase levels of all patients on whom follow-up was obtained returned to(or toward) baseline values mixing.naltrexone.and hard alcohol in a matter of weeks. During two randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled 12-week trials to evaluate the efficacy ofnaltrexone hydrochloride as an adjunctive treatment of alcohol dependence, most patients toleratednaltrexone hydrochloride well. In these studies, a total of 93 patients received naltrexone hydrochlorideat a dose of 50 mg once daily. Five of these patients discontinued naltrexone hydrochloride because ofnausea.
Drug Label Info
Naltrexone is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder. Naltrexone can be prescribed by any health care practitioner licensed to prescribe medications. Naltrexone is used to prevent people who have been addicted to certain drugs (opiates) from taking them again. It is used as part of a complete treatment program for drug abuse (e.g., compliance monitoring, counseling, behavioral contract, lifestyle changes).
This article will explore the naltrexone and alcohol interaction to help you better understand the risks and effects of combining these substances. Klag emphasized that while naltrexone is suitable for many people who live with alcohol use disorder, it’s not recommended for everyone. Naltrexone can sometimes cause harmful effects in people with certain conditions. Other factors may also affect whether naltrexone is a good treatment option for you. During your naltrexone treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. This is especially helpful when you first start a new drug or combination of treatments.
The drug is reported to be of greatest use in good prognosis opioid addicts who take the drug as partof a comprehensive occupational rehabilitative program, behavioral contract, or other complianceenhancingprotocol. Naltrexone (100 mg/kg/day 600 mg/m2 /day PO; 16 times the recommended therapeutic dose, based onbody surface area) caused a significant increase in pseudopregnancy in the rat. A decrease in thepregnancy rate of mated female rats also occurred.
This dulls the reward system, helping to reduce alcohol cravings and supporting those who want to stop drinking. It can help people drink less alcohol or stop drinking altogether. It also decreases the desire to drink alcohol when used with a treatment program that includes counseling, support, and lifestyle changes.
Mental health symptoms may worsen, especially if someone expects to feel good after drinking and doesn’t. They may experience depression, trouble sleeping, or mood swings—especially in the first week of starting naltrexone. Technically, you can drink while taking naltrexone; unlike opioids, it does not interact with alcohol. However, most patients taking naltrexone feel little to no desire to do so.
Not everyone with alcohol use disorder is the right fit for taking naltrexone, so it’s important to understand who benefits most. Generally, people who want to treat alcohol dependence and reduce cravings after completing detox may be good candidates. Because naltrexone works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, it helps reduce the rewarding effects of drinking alcohol, making it easier to stay in recovery. Because naltrexone works by blocking receptors in the brain, it can reduce cravings and help people stop drinking or limit the urge to drink alcohol. This stability allows clients to focus on therapy for underlying mental health struggles without the constant pull of addiction.
Alcohol withdrawal and opioid withdrawal can be life-threatening if not treated properly. Some individuals may try to drink more to overcome the blocked opioid receptors, which only leads to heavier drinking without reward. This increases the risk of alcohol poisoning, accidents, and relapse.
If someone relapses and drinks while on naltrexone, it’s not the end of the road. Here are some factors that contribute to the success of naltrexone treatment. Even though the “buzz” is gone, motor coordination and reaction time can still be impaired.