Naltrexone is a 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 addict's desire to drink. Naltrexone comes in tablet form, or in injection form that can be given once per every four weeks, however the injection can cost around $1,100 per month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other meds used to treat opiate dependence is that unlike Methadone which is an agonist and is very similar to heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and blocks the effects of opioid drugs. An individual who has been abstaining from all opioid meds 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 kinds of drugs can cause sudden withdrawal symptoms.
Naltrexone is meant to be used along with a full South Pasadena rehab program which would include counseling, behavioral modification, lifestyle changes, and compliance monitoring.
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