Naltrexone
Overview
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized Naltrexone for the treatment of alcoholism. The use of naltrexone long-acting injectable is limited to patients with opioid dependency and addiction therapy for alcohol abuse. For the maintenance of alcohol dependence, both naltrexone formulations are recommended.
It is recommended to utilize Naltrexone and Naltrexone injection in combination with a program that offers group assistance treatment and counseling in order to significantly alter the chronically ill person’s drinking habits.
Information about Dosing
Naltrexone shouldn’t be started by the patient until after alcohol detoxification and after they have attained sobriety. Furthermore, for the previous seven to ten days, the patient should not have used any narcotic (opioid) drugs.
Naltrexone ‘s suggested dosage is one 50 mg tablet taken first thing in the morning, which is an efficient dosage in the majority of individuals’ treatment for alcoholism. Individuals who have active liver disease or acute hepatitis should not ingest naltrexone.
Additionally, naltrexone may be administered by injection. Oral naltrexone should be trialed for the patient prior to being changed to a long-acting naltrexone injectable called Naltrexone injection. But prior to receiving oral, it’s not necessary to take naltrexone before using Naltrexone injection. A healthcare professional should administer Naltrexone injection. Every time a 380 mg vial is reconstituted, it is injected intramuscularly/ 4 weeks.
Typical Side Effects
When using Naltrexone and Naltrexone injection at the prescribed dosages, common adverse effects include headache, nausea, and stomach discomfort and lightheadedness. It is also common to experience injection site discomfort and soreness after using Naltrexone injection. These adverse consequences usually go away with ongoing treatment. It is improbable that any of these adverse consequences are connected to the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
Adverse Events and Safety Measures
There is no evidence that naltrexone causes symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Naltrexone and Naltrexone injection, however, may exacerbate opioid withdrawal symptoms in opioid-dependent people due to naltrexone inhibiting take action. In order to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms, patients need to abstain from opioids for at least 7–10 days.
Higher doses of naltrexone were seen to elevate liver enzymes in clinical trials, indicating that, while no instances of liver failure or death have been reported, it may harm the liver when taken in excess. When administered at the suggested daily dose of 50 mg, naltrexone did not seem to elevated hepatic enzymes. The FDA implemented a labeling requirement to warn that naltrexone should not be used after discovering this.
Be administered to patients suffering from acute hepatitis or liver failure; however, the danger of possible hepatotoxicity must be carefully considered when administering it to individuals with active liver disease, such as cirrhosis.
Naltrexone and Naltrexone injection are strong opioid (narcotic) antagonists, which patients need to be aware of. Taking naltrexone has been shown to counteract the euphoric benefits of opioid medicines. As a result, those who self-administer higher doses of a narcotic in order to get the intended effects may be at danger of overdosing and dying.
If naltrexone isn’t administered under a doctor’s strict supervision, it shouldn’t be used alongside opioid drugs. Suicidality is more common in those with depression who also misuse drugs and alcohol. in those who are suffering from untreated depression. In the first stages of treatment, patients have to be observed. keep an eye out for clinical depressive symptoms, particularly suicidal thoughts and actions.
Utilization during pregnancy and nursing: Category C
The safety of naltrexone during pregnancy has not been studied in pregnant women. It is uncertain how naltrexone affects the growing human fetus. Pregnancy should not be treated with naltrexone unless a clear indication exists.
The excretion of naltrexone in human breast milk is unknown. Given that the breast excretes a lot of medications, breastfeeding moms shouldn’t have injections of Naltrexone injection or take Naltrexone.
Potential Interactions with Drugs
Naltrexone is not known to interact significantly with any other medications. Naltrexone does not go through liver metabolism; instead, it is mostly eliminated via the kidneys. Naltrexone and Naltrexone injection don’t interact with any sleep aids or antianxiety drugs (such benzodiazepines like Valium). However, naltrexone may counteract the action and advantages of narcotic drugs, including codeine-containing cough medicines, antidiarrheal treatments, and opioid analgesics.
overindulgence
There is not much clinical experience with naltrexone overdose. In one investigation, participants who took 800 mg daily for a week, there were no poisoning symptoms. But one shouldn’t automatically infer that a naltrexone overdose is harmless. Liver damage may result from naltrexone doses too high. The quantity determines how dangerous the substance is.
Consumed, the individual’s age, weight, and whether or not they also consumed other drugs. It is uncertain whether naltrexone overdose in children is safe.
Treating any suspected overdose as an emergency is imperative. The individual has to be brought to the emergency space for care and observation. It is advisable to bring the prescription bottle of medicine (as well as any additional medication that may have been taken in excess) since the information on the label may be useful in helping the treating physician figure out how many tablets the patient has taken.
Particular Points to Remember
• Naltrexone is typically given once a day or as your doctor instructs. Take the missed dosage as soon as you remember. If the next dose is almost here, skip the one you missed and go on with your normal dosage timetable. Avoid taking two doses at once. Your healthcare provider will inject Naltrexone injection intramuscularly every four weeks.
- Naltrexone and Naltrexone injection have only been shown to help patients maintain their sobriety when they get counseling and group support therapy as part of their overall treatment.
• Don’t give up if you relapse; talk to your doctor, therapist, or counselor about your drinking. As instructed, keep taking Naltrexone or getting Naltrexone injection injections, and get in touch with your doctor as soon as feasible.
• Speak with your doctor if you have any depressive symptoms, especially if you’re thinking about taking your own life. instantly consult a therapist or counselor.
• Keep Naltrexone out of the heat and moisture, in the light-resistant container that came with it. Heat and wetness may cause your drug to break down more quickly, losing its therapeutic benefits.
• Make sure kids can’t get to your medicine.
