Type of medicine: narcotic antagonist
Generic and brand names: naltrexone hydrochloride, oral; ReVia; naltrexone hydrochloride, injection; Vivitrol
This medicine is taken by mouth or given by injection to treat addiction after you have stopped taking narcotics or alcohol. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your healthcare provider if you have used narcotics in the last 7 to 10 days. Taking this medicine while you have narcotic drugs in your system could result in dangerous effects, including coma and death.
Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Injections of this medicine are given by a healthcare provider. Keep all appointments for these shots.
If you have the tablets, take them exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Do not take more or for a longer period of time than directed by your healthcare provider. Taking too much of this medicine may damage your liver. This medicine will not work unless you take it each day as directed by your healthcare provider.
If you are taking the tablets and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you are receiving the injection form of this medicine, do not miss a dose. If you miss a dose, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible to schedule another appointment.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, stomach pain, dizziness, slowed or stopped breathing, seizures.
In large doses, this medicine can cause liver problems. You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you develop severe tiredness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, fever, headache, muscle or joint pain, yellowing of your eyes and skin. These are signs of possible liver damage.
If you develop pain, swelling, tenderness, bruising, itching, or redness at the injection site that does not improve or gets worse within 2 weeks, contact your healthcare provider. If you develop shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing, contact your healthcare provider.
Carry some form of identification that states that you are taking naltrexone. If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Do not take large doses of narcotics while taking this medicine. This may lead to coma, serious injury, or death. After you stop taking this medicine, you may be more sensitive to narcotics, even low doses. Ask your healthcare provider about this.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
Do not share this medicine with anyone else, especially someone who is using narcotics.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Abdominal pain lasting more than a few days; light-colored bowel movements; dark urine; yellowing eyes or skin; unusual bruising or bleeding; hallucinations; depression; thoughts of suicide; sudden mood changes; severe confusion; blurred vision; shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing; injection site pain, swelling, or redness that is not improving.
Other: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, constipation, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, headache, skin rash, itching, chills, increased thirst, dizziness, nervousness, joint pain, muscle cramps, pain at injection site.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store the tablets at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
