How to use it
Naltrexone should be taken as instructed by a qualified health care provider. You can take naltrexone with or without food. Store this medication at room temperature, away from direct light, excess heat, and moisture. (That means don’t keep it in the bathroom.)
Dosing
Oral naltrexone typically comes in tablet form, with dosages starting at 50 mg. Your health care provider will customize your dose based on various factors, including weight and how well you tolerate the medication. Prescriptions are up to a provider’s discretion.
If you miss a dose, take the dose you missed as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed. Do not take a double dose.
Side effects
Before using naltrexone, tell your health care provider about your medical history, especially if you have:
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease (it may cause liver dysfunction or hepatitis)
- Depression or suicidal feelings
- Current or recent (within the past 7-14 days) use of opioids or opiate drugs
Do not take naltrexone if any of this applies to you:
- If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant
- If you’re taking any opioids or opiate drugs
- If you’re dependent on opioids or using methadone or buprenorphine
- If you are in opioid withdrawal
If you take opioids or opiates right after stopping naltrexone, you may be more sensitive to them and require lower doses—which poses a risk of overdose. Please talk to your provider before initiating any opioids or opiates after stopping naltrexone.
Tell your health care provider right away if you experience any of the following:
- Severe stomach or abdominal pain
- Changes in vision
- Eye pain
- Burning or swollen eyes
- Chest pain
- Confusion
- Discomfort while urinating or frequent urination
- Fever
- Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
- Itching
- Mental depression
- Mood or mental changes
- Suicidal thoughts
- Ringing or buzzing in the ears
- Shortness of breath
- Weight gain
- Swelling of the face, feet, or lower legs
This drug may make you dizzy, drowsy, or impair your judgment. Please do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or perform any hazardous task until you know the effects of naltrexone on you.
Black Box Warning
Precautions
Before using naltrexone, tell your health care provider about your medical history, especially if you have:
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease (it may cause liver dysfunction or hepatitis)
- Depression or suicidal feelings
- Current or recent (within the past 7-14 days) use of opioids or opiate drugs
Do not take naltrexone if any of this applies to you:
- If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant
- If you’re taking any opioids or opiate drugs
- If you’re dependent on opioids or using methadone or buprenorphine
- If you are in opioid withdrawal
If you take opioids or opiates right after stopping naltrexone, you may be more sensitive to them and require lower doses—which poses a risk of overdose. Please talk to your provider before initiating any opioids or opiates after stopping naltrexone.
Tell your health care provider right away if you experience any of the following:
- Severe stomach or abdominal pain
- Changes in vision
- Eye pain
- Burning or swollen eyes
- Chest pain
- Confusion
- Discomfort while urinating or frequent urination
- Fever
- Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
- Itching
- Mental depression
- Mood or mental changes
- Suicidal thoughts
- Ringing or buzzing in the ears
- Shortness of breath
- Weight gain
- Swelling of the face, feet, or lower legs
This drug may make you dizzy, drowsy, or impair your judgment. Please do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or perform any hazardous task until you know the effects of naltrexone on you.
Interactions
Some medications can also interact with naltrexone, including:
- Dextromethorphan
- Diarrhea medication (such as diphenoxylate)
- Disulfiram
- Opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine and hydrocodone)
- Thioridazine
You should not drink alcohol or use opiate drugs while taking naltrexone.
If you take diabetes medications, please discuss this with your prescribing clinician before taking naltrexone since your diabetes medications may need to be adjusted as you lose weight.
