If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes questions such as whether the cost of the Vivitrol shot is covered by Medicare or not. You can also visit the Vivitrol manufacturer’s website to see if they have a coupon or other support options.
How should I use this medicine?
There are significant risks from VIVITROL treatment, including risk of opioid overdose, severe reactions at the injection site, sudden opioid withdrawal, liver damage or hepatitis. Vivitrol is indicated for use in adults addiction what it is, causes, symptoms, types and treatment with opioid or alcohol dependence. For alcohol dependence, patients should not be currently drinking at the time of their first dose. Patients must also be able to abstain from alcohol in an outpatient setting.
Can I take Vivitrol to treat an opioid overdose?
Naltrexone exposure is three to four times greater when using Vivitrol as opposed to using oral naltrexone 50 mg tablets once daily. There is less than 15% accumulation of naltrexone with repeated use. Vivitrol is an opioid antagonist that works by stopping cravings for opioids or alcohol in the brain. Vivitrol has the highest affinity for the mu opioid receptor and has little to no activity as an opioid agonist. The following information is provided for clinicians and other healthcare professionals. If you have a blood disorder or bleeding problems, such as hemophilia, you may have a high risk of bleeding after Vivitrol injections.
Vivitrol vs. naltrexone
- The overdose risk is higher at these times because Vivitrol isn’t working as well or at all to stop your cravings.
- Note that this list is not all-inclusive and includes only common medications that may interact with Vivitrol.
- Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.
- If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
There are no known interactions between Vivitrol and Xanax (alprazolam). Vivitrol doesn’t work on the same part of your brain that Xanax affects. These side effects differ based on the condition the drugs are used to treat.
In another study that compared Vivitrol to Suboxone, there was no significant difference between the effectiveness of the two drugs. People who received Vivitrol remained in the study for about 69 days, compared to people who received Suboxone, who remained in the study for about 64 days. Remaining in the study meant that people continued to take the medication for 12 weeks, as opposed to dropping out of the study. A healthcare professional will give you Vivitrol as an injection into the muscle (intramuscular) of your buttock. Keep in mind that people taking Vivitrol for alcohol dependence shouldn’t drink alcohol even though they may have a lower desire to drink. Vivitrol reduces cravings for alcohol, so you may drink less alcohol while taking Vivitrol.
Will I have withdrawal symptoms when starting or stopping Vivitrol?
There are many rehab centers that offer medications for addiction treatment. Because of its long-standing efficacy, Vivitrol is often used successfully. If you are struggling with alcohol or opioid addiction, Vivitrol could be the key to your sobriety.
Vivitrol combined with counseling and therapy has a 90% success rate in helping people achieve sobriety. Genetics can play a role in the likelihood of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD), and help in the effectiveness of naltrexone itself. Naltrexone is an FDA-approved and widely used medication proven to help reduce alcohol cravings and support those looking to change their relationship with alcohol. It works to reduce the pleasurable effects of drinking alcohol and decrease alcohol cravings. This allows for more brain space and energy for making other lifestyle changes that support sobriety or moderation.
Most of the serious side effects that can occur while you’re taking Vivitrol can happen whether you’re taking the medication for alcohol or opioid dependence. To have opioid withdrawal, you must’ve been taking an opioid medication. Clinical trials also showed that people who stopped drinking alcohol for 1 week before starting to take Vivitrol were more likely to not drink at all during treatment.
For opioid dependence, Vivitrol should be used after detoxification. Patients should be opioid-free for 7 to 14 days prior to starting treatment with Vivitrol. While you’re taking Vivitrol, it’s important that you don’t take any opioid medications.
Although side effects from Vivitrol use are relatively rare, they do occur in some instances. Unlike disulfiram (Antabuse), which makes you ill when you drink, Vivitrol alters how your brain responds to the alcohol in your system. Vivitrol accomplishes this by preventing alcohol-induced endorphins from attaching to their receptors. Since the emergence of COVID-19, the rate of alcohol use and misuse has worsened. Alcoholism or Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is currently the third leading preventable cause of death in the U.S. If you’re looking for treatment for yourself or a loved one struggling with addiction, we may be able to help.
When Vivitrol and naltrexone are used to treat opioid dependence, side effects can occur. These lists contain examples of more common side effects that may happen with Vivitrol, with naltrexone, or with both drugs (when taken individually). Side effects can occur with Vivitrol, with naltrexone, or with both drugs (when taken individually) when the drugs are used to treat alcohol dependence. These lists contain examples of more common side effects that may occur with Vivitrol, with naltrexone, or with both drugs (when taken individually). However, naltrexone is a tablet that must be taken every day to be effective.
Taking naltrexone has been correlated with a decrease in alcohol consumption in individuals in treatment for alcoholism, according to the U.S. The majority of injection site reactions are moderate and resolve on their own. However, certain negative how hallucinogens affect the body reactions, such as tissue death, may necessitate surgery. Vivitrol shots can be given by a physician, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, or a pharmacist, as long as they are licensed to prescribe and administer medications.
There is currently an ongoing study comparing how effective Vivitrol and naltrexone tablets are in treating alcohol dependence. Sometimes the first sign of a liver problem is a higher level of liver enzymes (a type of protein). In clinical studies, these levels were often increased for only a short period of time, and they didn’t cause any side effects. However, some people did develop hepatitis or liver disease after taking Vivitrol.
Opioid overdose and withdrawal are medical emergencies and can be life threatening. Patients taking naltrexone should not use any other opioids or illicit drugs; drink alcohol; or take sedatives, cocaine abuse and addiction tranquilizers, or other drugs. Patients should notify their practitioner about all medications they are currently taking as well as any changes in medications while being treated with naltrexone.
