Naltrexone is a prescription med 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 because it appears to decrease the user's desire to consume alcohol. Naltrexone comes in tablet form, or there is an extended-release injection that can be administered once per month, although the injection can cost up to $1,100 per month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other medications used to treat opiate dependence is that not like Methadone which is an agonist and is not unlike heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and blocks the effects of opioid medications. An individual who has been abstaining from all opioid medications for seven to ten days can begin taking Naltrexone, but they will have to stop taking all other opioid medications while taking the medication. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy meds, due to the fact that being treated with Naltrexone along with these types of medications can cause sudden withdrawal symptoms.
Naltrexone is meant to be used in conjunction with a full Highland treatment program which would include compliance monitoring, counseling, lifestyle changes, and behavior modification.
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