Naltrexone is a medicine used in the treatment of opiate and prescription opioid addiction because it stops the activity of opioids. It is also used in the management of alcohol dependence because it apparently lessens the addict's desire to drink. Naltrexone comes in tablet form, or in injection form that can be administered once per month, although the injection can cost up to $1,100 per month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other medications used to treat opiate dependence is that not like Methadone which is an agonist and has many of the same properties as heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and blocks the effects of opioid drugs. An individual who has been abstaining from all opioid medications for 7-10 days can begin taking Naltrexone, but they will have to remain off all other opioid meds while taking the drug. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy drugs, due to the fact that taking Naltrexone along with these types of meds can cause sudden withdrawal symptoms.
Naltrexone is meant to be used in conjunction with a full Newcastle treatment program which would include counseling, behavioral modification, lifestyle changes, and compliance monitoring.
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