Naltrexone is a prescription medication used in the treatment of opiate and prescription opioid abuse and 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 drink. Naltrexone comes in tablet form, or there is an extended-release injection that can be administered once an every four weeks, although the injection can cost up to $1,100 per month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other meds used to treat opiate addiction is that unlike Methadone which is an agonist and has many of the same properties as heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and negates the effects of opioid drugs. 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 medications while taking the drug. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy meds, 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 San Jose treatment program which would include counseling, behavioral modification, lifestyle changes, and compliance monitoring.
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