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 as it appears to decrease the addict's need to consume alcohol. Naltrexone can either be administered daily by tablet, or in injection form that can be given once an every four weeks, however the injection can cost up to $1,100 a month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other drugs used to treat opiate dependence is that unlike Methadone which is an agonist and is not unlike heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and negates the effect of opioid meds. Someone 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 meds while taking the medication. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy drugs, because of the fact that taking Naltrexone along with these types of drugs can cause sudden withdrawal symptoms.
Naltrexone is meant to be used in conjunction with a full Attica treatment program which would include compliance monitoring, counseling, lifestyle changes, and behavior modification.
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