Naltrexone is a prescription medication 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 addiction because it apparently lessens the user's need to drink. Naltrexone can either be administered daily by tablet, or in injection form that can be given once an every four weeks, however the injection can cost up to $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 has many of the same properties as heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and negates the effect of opioid drugs. Someone who has been off all opioid drugs for seven to ten days can begin treatment with 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 drugs, because of the fact that being treated with Naltrexone along with these types of meds can cause sudden withdrawal symptoms.
Naltrexone is meant to be used along with a full Scotia rehab program which would include counseling, behavioral modification, lifestyle changes, and compliance monitoring.
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