Naltrexone is a prescription 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 dependence as it appears to decrease the addict's need to drink. Naltrexone can either be administered daily by tablet, or in injection form that can be administered once per month, however the injection can cost around $1,100 a month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other medications used to treat opiate dependence is that not like Methadone which is an agonist and is very similar to heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and negates 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 medication. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy medications, because of the fact that taking Naltrexone along with these types of medications can cause sudden withdrawal symptoms.
Naltrexone is meant to be used along with a full St. Johns rehab program which would include counseling, behavioral modification, lifestyle changes, and compliance monitoring.
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