Naltrexone: Uses & Side Effects (2024)

What is this medication?

NALTREXONE (nal TREX one) helps you to remain free of your dependence on opiate drugs or alcohol. It blocks the 'high' that these substances can give you. This medicine is combined with counseling and support groups.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Depade, ReVia

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

•if you have used drugs or alcohol within 7 to 10 days

•kidney disease

•liver disease, including hepatitis

•an unusual or allergic reaction to naltrexone, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

•pregnant or trying to get pregnant

•breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not take this medicine within 7 to 10 days of taking any opioid drugs. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose and remember on the same day, take the missed dose. If you do not remember until the next day, ask your doctor or health care professional about rescheduling your doses. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

•any prescription or street opioid drug like codiene, heroin, methadone

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

•disulfiram

•thioridazine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. 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. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine. Visit your doctor or health care professional regularly. For this medicine to be most effective you should attend any counseling or support groups that your doctor or health care professional recommends. Do not try to overcome the effects of the medicine by taking large amounts of narcotics or by drinking large amounts of alcohol. This can cause severe problems including death. Also, you may be more sensitive to lower doses of narcotics after you stop taking this medicine.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your doctor or health care professional that you are taking this medicine.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, pain, or diarrhea. Ask your doctor or health care professional for advice. Some of the ingredients may interact with this medicine and cause side effects.

Wear a medical ID bracelet or chain, and carry a card that describes your disease and details of your medicine and dosage times.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

•allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

•breathing problems

•changes in vision, hearing

•confusion

•dark urine

•depressed mood

•diarrhea

•fast or irregular heart beat

•hallucination, loss of contact with reality

•light-colored stools

•right upper belly pain

•suicidal thoughts or other mood changes

•unusually weak or tired

•vomiting

•yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

•aches, pains

•change in sex drive or performance

•feeling anxious

•headache

•loss of appetite, nausea

•runny nose, sinus problems, sneezing

•stomach pain

•trouble sleeping

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.