Naltrexone is a med 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 addict's desire to drink. Naltrexone comes in tablet form, or there is an extended-release injection that can be administered once per every four weeks, although the injection can cost around $1,100 per month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other meds 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 effect of opioid drugs. An individual who has been off all opioid meds for seven to ten days can begin taking 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, due to the fact that taking Naltrexone along with these kinds of medications can cause sudden withdrawal reactions.
Naltrexone is meant to be used in conjunction with a full Southwest Harbor treatment program which would include compliance monitoring, counseling, lifestyle changes, and behavior modification.
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