Naltrexone

oral

Naltrexone, a treatment for alcohol and opioid dependence, can aid weight loss. It’s commonly paired with bupropion to curb cravings and binge eating. It also:

Reduces appetite

Manages compulsive eating

Everything you need to know about
Naltrexone

What is
Naltrexone
?

Naltrexone is a drug that’s FDA-approved to treat alcohol use disorder and opioid dependence in tandem with counseling and social support. Clinicians prescribe it off-label, often alongside bupropion, for weight loss. Studies show this combination helps change compulsive eating behaviors, treats binge eating, and curbs cravings.

More on off-label prescribing

Benefits of
Naltrexone

Expected weight loss varies. According to a 2009 study, after taking naltrexone (in the immediate-release formula) for 24 weeks, participants had modest weight loss results of up to 1.7% of their body weight. 

In that same study, researchers found combining naltrexone with bupropion can lead to more significant results of at least 7.5% of total body weight, depending on the dose. (Safe weight loss is one to two pounds per week.) 

Naltrexone may have more benefits beyond treating alcohol and opioid dependence and supporting weight loss. Some studies suggest it may also improve blood lipids, reduce symptoms of pain and inflammation, and improve insulin resistance, though more research is needed.

And it’s significant to note that some patients have reported reduced cravings and relief from compulsive eating patterns and “intrusive food thoughts” while using naltrexone for weight loss.

How does
Naltrexone
work?

Think of a time you felt particularly blissful—maybe while getting a massage, exercising, or having a belly laugh. During pleasurable experiences, your body releases endorphins. Once activated, this feel-good hormone latches onto cell receptors and sends signals to your brain. When an opioid drug enters the body, it latches onto the same receptors and releases those same pleasant feelings.

Naltrexone treats opioid and alcohol dependence by blocking a specific receptor called the mu-opioid receptor. Since opioids activate this receptor, blocking it shuts down the euphoric effects of these intoxicating substances. It also prevents dependence on them. Similarly, by muting the rush of endorphins associated with food cravings or binge eating, naltrexone is thought to help decrease appetite and cravings. 

Naltrexone is often prescribed off-label along with bupropion as a combination therapy to support weight loss and treat compulsive and emotional eating. Together, these medications lead to more significant weight loss results than individually. Though more research is needed to understand the exact mechanisms that lead to weight loss with this combination of drugs, it’s believed that this drug combination promotes feelings of fullness, increases calorie burn, and reduces appetite and cravings.


More on personalized treatment with Found

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.

about
found

Found is an online weight loss program offering personalized care for every member. Some of the nation’s top obesity medicine specialists helped design our program. Our approach is based on science, and we’re committed to clinical excellence.

Members get access to: Clinicians trained in obesity medicine 1:1 health coaching Self-paced lifestyle change program designed by doctors, psychologists, and behavioral scientists Exclusive in-app community.

Found’s comprehensive program is designed to work with your body—so you can achieve lasting results and enjoy better health.

Alternative medications

Depending on your health history, weight history, and MetabolicPrintTM assessment, your Found health care provider may consider other alternatives to help you lose weight. Some are FDA-approved for weight loss. Others are used off-label and have strong clinical evidence supporting their use for weight loss.

Unfortunately, there are no generic versions of Ozempic currently on the market.
However, your health care provider might consider alternatives such as Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Saxenda, all of which are GLP-1 medications but not all are FDA-approved for weight loss specifically.

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