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 treatment of alcohol dependence as it appears to decrease the addict's need to drink. Naltrexone can either be administered daily by tablet, or there is an extended-release injection that can be administered once a month, however the injection can cost up to $1,100 a month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other medications used to treat opiate addiction is that not like 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 7-10 days can begin taking Naltrexone, but they will have to stop taking all other opioid meds while taking the drug. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy medications, due to the fact that taking Naltrexone along with these types of medications can cause sudden withdrawal symptoms.
Naltrexone is meant to be used in conjunction with a full Pisgah treatment program which would include counseling, behavioral modification, lifestyle changes, and compliance monitoring.
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