Naltrexone is a prescription medication 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 addiction as it appears to decrease the user's need to drink. Naltrexone can either be administered daily by tablet, or there is an extended-release injection that can be given once a month, however the injection can cost around $1,100 a month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other drugs used to treat opiate addiction is that unlike Methadone which is an agonist and is very similar to heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and negates the effect of opioid medications. An individual who has been off all opioid meds for seven to ten days can begin treatment with Naltrexone, but they will have to remain off all other opioid drugs while taking the drug. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy medications, because of the fact that being treated with Naltrexone along with these types of meds can cause sudden withdrawal symptoms.
Naltrexone is meant to be used along with a comprehensive Newport treatment program which would include compliance monitoring, counseling, lifestyle changes, and behavior modification.
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