Naltrexone is a medicine used in the treatment of opiate and prescription opioid addiction because it stops the activity of opiates. It is also used in the management of alcohol addiction as it apparently lessens the user's need to drink. Naltrexone comes in tablet form, or in injection form that can be given once per month, although the injection can cost up to $1,100 a month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other medications used to treat opiate dependence 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. Someone who has been off all opioid medications for 7-10 days can begin taking Naltrexone, but they will have to stop taking all other opioid medications while taking the drug. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy drugs, 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 in conjunction with a comprehensive Ottertail rehab program which would include counseling, behavioral modification, lifestyle changes, and compliance monitoring.
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