Contents
- 1 What Is Naltrexone?
- 2 How Does Naltrexone Work?
- 3 Dosing Of Naltrexone
- 4 Benefits Of Taking The Medication
- 5 Side effects Of Naltrexone Medication
- 6 Naltrexone Vs Other Medications
- 7 Best Way To Take This Medication
- 8 Where Can I Get A Prescription For Naltrexone?
- 9 Is it possible to become dependent on Naltrexone medication?
- 10 Who Should Take It?
- 11 How long do I need to take Naltrexone?
- 12 What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
- 13 What happens if I overdose on Naltrexone?
- 14 What Happens If I Overdose On Opioids While Taking Naltrexone?
- 15 Drug Interactions Of Naltrexone
- 16 Why Would I Need Naltrexone For Opiate Addiction?
- 17 A Word From MantraCare
What Is Naltrexone?
Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist used to treat addiction. It blocks the effects of opioids at the receptors in the brain and prevents them from re-triggering cravings. Naltrexone blocks opioids because it behaves similarly to opiates, but it doesn’t produce any effects on its own. It’s safe for long-term use, but it can have side effects including fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and dysphoria (feeling unwell).
Naltrexone is a drug that blocks the effects of opioids. It’s used in treatment for opioid addiction, and also as an adjunct to general anesthesia or other pain-relieving pharmacological agents. Naltrexone has been shown to reduce craving for alcohol and improve abstinence rates when it is combined with psychosocial therapy. Additionally, naltrexone may be useful in reducing relapse risk among those who have stopped taking heroin after long periods of use. This medication can help people overcome their dependence on substances such as narcotics and alcohol by blocking the addictive impulses created by these drugs. This is not a cure for drug addiction but can be an effective tool in recovery. Naltrexone has been shown to reduce relapse rates by 50% compared to people who do not take the medication.
How Does Naltrexone Work?
Naltrexone works by blocking the receptors in the brain so that you don’t have any addictive cravings. It blocks opiates because it behaves like an opiate, but it doesn’t produce any high or euphoria. Naltrexone can also block other receptors in the brain so it’s very important to stick with the exact prescribing information for this medication.
Naltrexone blocks the effects of opiate drugs such as heroin or morphine. It works by blocking opioid receptors so that even if someone does use these substances, they will experience no effect from them. This helps prevent people with alcohol problems from drinking because it makes drinking useless, just like any other addict would feel.
Dosing Of Naltrexone
It depends on how severe your addiction is and what your goals are for recovery. If your goal is abstinence, then you should start taking Naltrexone on the day of your first opioid use so that it can prevent any effects of opioids in the future.
Anyone who has an addiction to opiates but doesn’t want to go through the withdrawal or detoxification process can take Naltrexone. It can help ease cravings and prevent any issues with withdrawal.
Naltrexone comes in pill form and must be taken daily at regular intervals to maintain its effectiveness against addictive impulses. Most doctors recommend taking naltrexone once per day about an hour prior to the time that someone usually has their first drink. Not everyone will be willing to take it before drinking, but for those who are willing, the benefits are great.
Benefits Of Taking The Medication
- Naltrexone can help ease cravings for opioids by blocking receptors in the brain. It doesn’t produce any high or euphoria, but it can still help with cravings which is why it’s recommended to be taken at the time of opioid use.
- It also helps reduce relapse rates because opioid users aren’t likely to relapse when they’re not having cravings for opioids.
- This is a very useful tool to have in your addiction treatment arsenal. It can help you manage cravings without producing euphoria or other effects, but it’s important to stick with the prescribing information.
- Anyone who wants to get off of opioids can take Naltrexone because it doesn’t produce any euphoria or high feeling. It only helps ease cravings for opioid use so that you don’t feel like you need to relapse just because the craving isn’t too intense.
Side effects Of Naltrexone Medication
While there won’t be any euphoric high feeling. It’s possible to experience some light nausea or stomach pain after taking Naltrexone. It can also cause sleep problems although this is rare and will typically go away within a few days. It’s important to tell your doctor right away if you develop any severe side effects like bleeding or trouble breathing because this might mean that you’ve developed an infection while taking the medication. Naltrexone is one of the most well-tolerated medications used for opioid addiction but some patients might experience different side effects depending on their unique medical history and other factors related to their treatment plan. Among the most common side effects are-
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dysphoria (feeling unwell)
It’s also important to note that there are no regulations for where Naltrexone is produced. This means you could buy medications made in the US or India which might be different in purity or quality.
Naltrexone Vs Other Medications
Naltrexone doesn’t produce any euphoria so it’s often an alternative for people who don’t want to take medication. Other medications can have similar effects but they might have more side effects or risks of dependency. Some examples are buprenorphine, methadone, and naloxone.
Naltrexone can be taken without having any side effects. It’s often used as part of an overall recovery plan because it doesn’t produce any euphoria or high feeling so there’s no addiction risk someone takes the drug long-term.
Best Way To Take This Medication
The most common way Naltrexone is taken is with a single daily dose by mouth on an empty stomach. This can help alleviate some of the gastrointestinal effects so that you don’t have nausea or vomiting from taking the medication.
Naltrexone should also be used cautiously if you have a history of liver problems. It can often produce mild side effects. But it’s still possible to take the medication as directed by your doctor or psychiatrist.
Naltrexone can be taken without any side effects and it’s often used as part of an overall recovery plan. Because it doesn’t produce any euphoria or high feeling. So there’s no addiction risk someone takes the drug long-term.
Naltrexone isn’t recommended for anyone with an allergy to the medication or who has severe liver disease. It’s also important to be cautious if you have a history of hepatitis or autoimmune problems because there can be similar effects.
The prescribing information is very specific about when you should avoid taking Naltrexone. Especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions that may make it harmful to take it. You should never start taking this medication without talking to your doctor first. Since they’ll know what medications are best for your health condition.
Where Can I Get A Prescription For Naltrexone?
You should be able to get a prescription for this medication by your doctor or psychiatrist, but it might help to ask family members if they’ve ever taken the medication. Many people don’t like taking medications because it feels like they’re not strong enough or that they don’t believe in medication to help treat addiction.
Is it possible to become dependent on Naltrexone medication?
Naltrexone is a very useful tool that can help anyone who has an opioid addiction. But it’s important to follow the prescribing information for this medication.
Taking naloxone for opioid dependence does not result in any high feeling or euphoria. It also doesn’t change your cognitive skills and you’ll still be able to function as normal. Even if you take Naltrexone every day.
Patients who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid taking this medication. Because it can harm their unborn children. You should always ask your doctor first before taking any medications while pregnant or breastfeeding. Especially if you’re not sure if it’s safe.
Who Should Take It?
Naltrexone is an alternative for people who don’t want to take medication. It’s important to understand that Naltrexone does not show any side effects.
It’s also important to note that there are no regulations for where Naltrexone is produced. This means you could buy medications made in the US or India which might be different in purity or quality. It’s very important that you do not start taking this medication without talking with your doctor first because they will know what medications are best for your condition.
How long do I need to take Naltrexone?
Naltrexone is a very useful tool that can help anyone who has an opioid addiction, but it’s important to follow the prescribing information for this medication.
Taking naloxone for opioid dependence does not result in any high feeling or euphoria. It also doesn’t change your cognitive skills and you’ll still be able to function as normal even if you take Naltrexone every day.
Naltrexone is often used as part of an overall recovery plan because it doesn’t produce any euphoria or high feeling so there’s no addiction risk someone takes the drug long-term.
Most people start feeling a difference a few days after they’ve taken Naltrexone, but it can take up to a week before you notice any effects. This medication is often a treatment option for opioid addiction because it blocks your receptors from reacting to these drugs, which means that you will not feel high or get addiction when taking them again.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
you accidentally miss some doses and it’s still early in the day, just take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose then skip the missed one and move on with your normal schedule.
What happens if I overdose on Naltrexone?
You should always follow the prescribing information for this medication to avoid any risks of overdosing while taking Naltrexone. Most people won’t have any serious side effects from a moderate overdose but you might experience nausea or sleep problems that you can easily treat.
In very rare cases, patients have reported fainting after an overdose so tell your doctor right away if you’re experiencing these symptoms after accidentally taking too much Naltrexone. It’s also possible to experience liver damage or seizures but this is extremely rare and it’s typically not life-threatening.
What Happens If I Overdose On Opioids While Taking Naltrexone?
Naltrexone has been approved by the FDA for opioid addiction. Because there are no high feelings of euphoria when someone takes this medication. It means that patients cannot become addicted again even if they continue to take opioids.
Most people won’t experience any serious side effects from a moderate overdose of Naltrexone. But you might have some problems breathing or fall into a coma because of respiratory failure. It’s important to tell your doctor right away if you’re experiencing these symptoms. After accidentally taking too much Naltrexone. It’s also possible for you to develop liver damage or seizures. But this is extremely rare and it’s typically not life-threatening.
Drug Interactions Of Naltrexone
Naltrexone can interact with some other medications so always ask your doctor before taking it with any other drugs, especially if you’ve recently taken opioids because this could lead to an overdose. Some of the most common medications that might interact with it are painkillers, sedatives, antidepressants, alcohol, seizure medications, and tranquilizers. Adding these drugs to your treatment plan will increase your risk of side effects or even cause serious problems like overdosing or breathing difficulties.
Why Would I Need Naltrexone For Opiate Addiction?
There’s no “high” feeling or euphoria associated with Naltrexone. It means that it doesn’t increase your risk of becoming addicted again as opioids do. Some people also find this drug helpful for managing cravings and preventing relapse. Because there’s no way to get high on the medication.
It’s very important to work with an experienced doctor when taking this medication. Because they can help you develop a comprehensive recovery plan that works best for your specific needs.
A Word From MantraCare
Your mental health — your psychological, emotional, and social well-being — has an impact on every aspect of your life. Positive mental health essentially allows you to effectively deal with life’s everyday challenges.
If you are looking for affordable Online Counseling MantraCare can help: Book a trial therapy session