Naltrexone is a prescription medicine used in the treatment of opiate and prescription opioid abuse and addiction because it stops the activity of opiates. It is also used in the treatment of alcohol dependence because it appears to decrease the user's desire to consume alcohol. Naltrexone comes in tablet form, or in injection form that can be administered once a month, although the injection can cost around $1,100 per month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other meds used to treat opiate addiction is that not like Methadone which is an agonist and has many of the same properties as heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and negates the effects of opioid meds. Someone who has been abstaining from all opioid drugs for seven to ten days can begin taking Naltrexone, but they will have to stop taking all other opioid meds while taking the drug. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy meds, due to the fact that taking Naltrexone along with these kinds of medications can cause sudden withdrawal symptoms.
Naltrexone is meant to be used in conjunction with a comprehensive Merrillville treatment program which would include counseling, behavioral modification, lifestyle changes, and compliance monitoring.
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