naltrexone (injection)
Pronunciation: nal TREX own Brand: Vivitrol What is the most important information I should know about naltrexone injection?
Do not use narcotic drugs or alcohol while you are being treated with naltrexone injection. Never try to overcome the effects of the medication by using large doses of narcotic drugs or alcohol. Doing so could result in dangerous effects, including coma and death. Ask your doctor before using any prescription or over-the-counter medicine to treat a cold, cough, diarrhea, or pain during your treatment with naltrexone injection. These medicines may contain narcotics or alcohol.
Naltrexone injection can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. You may notice pain, redness, bruising, swelling, or a hard lump where the medication was injected. Call your doctor if you have this type of reaction to the shot, especially if it does not clear up or gets worse within 2 weeks.
Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are being treated with naltrexone, in case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are receiving this medication. Additional forms of counseling and/or monitoring may be recommended during treatment with naltrexone injection.
What is naltrexone injection?
Naltrexone injection is a special narcotic drug that blocks the effects of other narcotic medicines and alcohol.
Naltrexone injection is used to treat narcotic drug or alcohol addiction..
Naltrexone injection may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving naltrexone injection?
Do not receive this injection if you are allergic to naltrexone, or if you have:
- an addiction to narcotics;
- a history of alcohol or narcotic drug use within the past 7-10 days; or
- drug or alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Before receiving naltrexone, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
- kidney disease;
- liver disease; or
- a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive a naltrexone injection.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether naltrexone injection is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether naltrexone injection passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. How is naltrexone injection used?
Naltrexone injection (Vivitrol) is given as a shot into a muscle. This injection is usually given once a month (every 4 weeks) and can be given only by a doctor or nurse in a clinic.
It is important to receive your naltrexone injections regularly to get the most benefit.
You may notice pain, redness, bruising, swelling, or a hard lump where the medication was injected. Call your doctor if you have this type of reaction to the shot, especially if it does not clear up or gets worse within 2 weeks.
Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are being treated with naltrexone, in case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are receiving this medication. Additional forms of counseling and/or monitoring may be recommended during treatment with naltrexone injection.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment to receive your naltrexone injection.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, stomach pain, dizziness, or seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while using naltrexone injection?
Naltrexone injection can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Do not use narcotic drugs or alcohol while receiving naltrexone injection. Never try to overcome the effects of the medication by using large doses of narcotic drugs or alcohol. Doing so could result in dangerous effects, including coma and death. Ask your doctor before using any prescription or over-the-counter medicine to treat a cold, cough, diarrhea, or pain while you are being treated with naltrexone injection. These medicines may contain narcotics or alcohol. What are the possible side effects of naltrexone injection?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- blurred vision or eye problems;
- fast heartbeat;
- wheezing, difficulty breathing;
- mood changes, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things), confusion, thoughts of hurting yourself;
- nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
- ear pain, ringing in your ears;
- feeling light-headed, fainting;
- skin rash or itching; or
- pain, redness, bruising, itching, swelling, or a hard lump where the medication was injected.
Less serious side effects may include:
- feeling anxious, nervous, restless, or irritable;
- increased thirst;
- muscle or joint aches;
- weakness or tiredness;
- sleep problems (insomnia); or
- decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
What other drugs will affect naltrexone injection?
The pain-relieving effects of any narcotic pain medications you use will be blocked if you use them during your treatment with naltrexone injection. Harmful side effects could also occur.
Before receiving naltrexone injection, tell your doctor if you use any of the following drugs:
- buprenorphine (Buprenex, Subutex);
- butorphanol (Stadol);
- codeine (Tylenol with codeine);
- hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin);
- dezocine (Dalgan);
- hydromorphone (Dilaudid);
- levorphanol (Levo-Dromoran);
- meperidine (Demerol);
- methadone (Dolophine, Methadose);
- morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Roxanol);
- nalbuphine (Nubain);
- nalmefene (Revex);
- naloxone (Narcan);
- oxycodone (OxyContin, Roxicodone, Percocet);
- oxymorphone (Numorphan); or
- propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with naltrexone injection. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor can provide more information about naltrexone injection.
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