Naltrexone Side Effects and How This Medication Supports Recovery
When someone decides to break free from alcohol or opioid use disorder, it is a really difficult but critical step. Even considering all the naltrexone side effects, this drug can help in this way.
What exactly does naltrexone (Revia) do? Addiction is when your brain tricks you into constantly seeking out substances that are harmful to you. Naltrexone helps stop this trickery. It blocks what’s called the reward system in the brain, which gives you the feeling of pleasure after drinking alcohol or opioids. But low-dose naltrexone isn’t a magic pill that works alone. Recovery thrives on connection and guidance.
We’ll walk through the potential naltrexone side effects together and explore exactly how it creates the changes in your metabolism, so you understand how it may affect your condition and whether the medication is right for your recovery plan.
What Is Naltrexone?
So, what is naltrexone? It’s your go-to drug in the fight against alcohol or opioid addiction. There are several ways to administer it, which can help you choose the method that’s most convenient to you.
The first option is a daily pill which becomes part of your morning routine. The second is an injectable solution called Vivitrol, which works differently: you receive one shot each month, and the medication gradually releases into your system over those four weeks. The daily pill approach typically involves taking 50 mg each day. The monthly injection route delivers 380 mg in a single shot.
Here’s what happens inside your head: Your brain has special areas that light up with pleasure when exposed to alcohol or opioids. Naltrexone disables these pleasure signals from getting through. When those rewarding feelings get intercepted, your cravings naturally begin to fade.
As an example, someone might reach for a drink. They expect a familiar warm feeling, but with naltrexone working in their system, the expected pleasure simply doesn’t arrive. It creates room for healthier choices.
Any licensed healthcare provider can prescribe this medicine. However, there’s one crucial timing consideration: you must quit using all opioids, including methadone, for 7–10 days before beginning medication assisted treatment (MAT). The waiting period prevents uncomfortable withdrawal signs and ensures the medication works properly from day one.
Take back control of your life and start on the road to recovery now.
How Naltrexone Works?
Now, let’s see how naltrexone works. It acts by directly inhibiting substances like heroin, morphine, and codeine from creating their usual effects. When the drugs enter your system, they normally produce intense feelings of euphoria and deep relaxation. Naltrexone prevents the entire experience.
Sure, there are other recovery medications you might have heard about. While buprenorphine and methadone activate certain brain receptors to ease cravings, naltrexone chooses a different strategy. It finds those same receptors and blocks them. It creates a protective barrier as it both reduces cravings and lowers relapse risks.
One remarkable aspect of naltrexone is its inherent abuse-resistance. If someone experiences a moment of weakness and uses their substance of choice while taking naltrexone, they won’t experience the anticipated high. The medication essentially neutralizes the rewarding effects, which can be both protective and eye-opening among people in recovery.
Use Cases
Naltrexone disrupts the reward cycle, which fuels alcohol and opioid dependency. Another benefit is that it supports weight loss efforts. While it’s not a complete solution, it provides the mental space needed to rebuild healthier patterns and reclaim control over your choices.
AUD Treatment
Among people battling alcohol use disorder (AUD), this drug helps you stay true to your sobriety goals. It diminishes nagging urges to drink and simultaneously inhibits alcohol’s rewarding effects on your brain.
When you take naltrexone and talk to a psychologist at the same time, it really helps you quit alcohol faster and for longer. The medications reduce the desire to drink and help you stay away from abuse.
Opioid Disorder
After completing a medically supervised detoxification, Suboxone (buprenorphine + naloxone) helps you stay sober. It blocks the effects of opioids, meaning even if a person tries to take something, it won’t work. But there’s an important rule: before you start with Suboxone, you must be clean of opioids for a week or more. Otherwise, the medication may not work properly.
What sets naltrexone apart from medications like methadone is its clean approach: it doesn’t create any opioid-like sensations, which eliminates any potential risk of misuse. When someone tries to use opioids while on naltrexone, they simply won’t experience the euphoric rush they’re seeking.
Weight Loss
Naltrexone is also a go-to option among those thinking about naltrexone weight loss, though it’s no miracle cure. Instead, it makes the weight loss process more manageable:
- Your appetite gets guidance. Food cravings lose their intensity, so smaller portions feel satisfying. The medication removes much of the pleasure from binge-eating.
- Emotional eating becomes less appealing. Blood sugar levels come into balance, preventing the energy slumps that make you reach for sugary snacks.
- Energy levels often improve. It gets easier to stay active even while following a reduced-calorie eating plan.
But here are some facts about naltrexone side effects: A 2017 study showed: 22% of participants stopped taking naltrexone due to stomach troubles like nausea. Others reported headaches, sleep difficulties, and anxiety. The signs typically fade as your body adjusts.
What Are The Personal Considerations and Precautions?
Naltrexone shows great results, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Your personal health story matters enormously when deciding whether the medication will be added to your treatment plan.
Having an honest conversation with your doctor becomes absolutely essential. Share everything: your history with opioid withdrawal, any liver or kidney concerns, past allergic reactions to medications, and current health challenges. If you’re pregnant, nursing, or drinking alcohol regularly, these details significantly impact how the drug will work in your body.
Moreover, people often ask: what to avoid when taking low-dose naltrexone? First, don’t use opioids — even a small amount. Since it blocks opioid receptors, mixing the two can cause sudden withdrawal symptoms. Also, try to avoid alcohol, especially if you drink regularly.
What are The Naltrexone Side Effects?
Most people tolerate naltrexone well, though your body might need time to adjust. Common experiences include stomach upset, nausea, loss of appetite, headaches, or dizziness. Some people notice unusual fatigue, restless sleep, or cold-like symptoms such as congestion or throat irritation. Although it’s rare, some people experience mood changes, anxiety, or even suicidal thoughts while on naltrexone.
Serious reactions require immediate attention. If your face swells, breathing becomes difficult, or you develop signs of an allergic reaction, seek emergency medical care right away. If you’re receiving the drug as a monthly injection, you might experience injection site reactions: redness, swelling, pain, or a small lump.
Watch for these concerning signs: breathing difficulties, unusual skin reactions, liver damage, or symptoms of depression. When something feels off or persists longer than expected, reach out to your physician promptly.
Your healthcare provider should be one call away throughout the process. They’ll help you get around any naltrexone side effects and ensure the medication continues to function safely.
So, how long do low-dose naltrexone side effects last? For most people, the common side effects last just a few days to a couple of weeks as the body gets used to the medication. If symptoms continue or get worse, it’s a sign to check in with your doctor.
This can be a difficult journey, but you don’t have to go it alone. Let us be your guide and provide you the environment needed to regain control of your life and begin the path to recovery.
A Supportive Space to Rebuild Your Life
Eco Sober Houses understand that recovery isn’t just about quitting substances. It’s a chance to create a new, meaningful life. Our homes provide a supportive environment where others surround you on the same journey, and where your recovery is the priority. In the community, you have a chance to feel the power of structured living, peer support, and personal strength. It’s a foundation of comfort, respect, and success, so your path to lasting recovery is as strong as possible.
About Author
