Naltrexone is a medicine used in the treatment of opiate and prescription opioid abuse and addiction because it stops the activity of opioids. It is also used in the treatment of alcohol addiction as it appears to decrease the user's need to consume alcohol. Naltrexone comes in tablet form, or there is an extended-release injection that can be administered once a month, although the injection can cost up to $1,100 a month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other drugs used to treat opiate dependence is that not like Methadone which is an agonist and is not unlike heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and blocks the effect of opioid medications. An individual who has been off all opioid medications for 7-10 days can begin taking Naltrexone, but they will have to remain off all other opioid medications while taking the drug. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy medications, due to the fact that taking Naltrexone along with these types of meds can cause sudden withdrawal symptoms.
Naltrexone is meant to be used along with a full Gateway rehab program which would include compliance monitoring, counseling, lifestyle changes, and behavior modification.
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