Naltrexone

naltrexone hydrochloride

Reasons for prescribing Naltrexone

Naltrexone is used alongside with social support counseling by people who have stopped using substances such as alcohol and street drugs to avoid relapse. Naltrexoneg should never be administered to people who are still using street drugs or alcohol in large amounts. These drugs are categorized in group known as opiate antagonists. It functions through suppressing alcohol cravings as well as inhibiting efficiency of opioid street drugs and medication.

Administration of the medication

Naltrexone is available in form of oral tablets taken either in treatment or clinic centers under supervision. When Naltrexone is taken at home it should be taken once either with or without food. When Naltrexone is administered in a treatment center it can be used daily, once in three days, once at any other day or even once daily except on Sundays. The prescription details should be followed carefully and in case of any direction you cannot understand, seek advice from your pharmacist or doctor. Avoid taking Naltrexone in large little quantities than the amounts recommended by your doctor.

Naltrexone efficiency is more pronounced when it is plied as part of an addiction therapy. It is imperative for you to attend support group meetings, counseling sessions, education programs and other treatments proposed by your doctor.

Naltrexone helps in preventing relapses but does not suppress development of withdrawal effects that come after you stop abusing substances. In fact, Naltrexone may induce or even escalate the withdrawal effects. Avoid using naltrexone if you are still experiencing the withdraw effects or if you have stopped abusing opioid street drugs or medication recently.

Naltrexone will help to protect you from relapse as long as you are using the medication. Continue abusing the substance even after you start feeling well. You should also ensure to inform your doctor before you stop taking the medication.

Alternative applications of Naltrexone

Naltrexone can be used to address other conditions apart from the ones listed here. Acquire more information from your doctor regarding other conditions that may be treated using this drug.

Are there some special precautions to be observed?

Prior to taking Naltrexone:

• Inform your health care provider whether you are allergic to naltrexone naloxone and opioid medication among other drugs.
• Inform your doctor if you are using other narcotic (opioid) drugs and street drugs such as levomethadyl acetate and methadone (methadose and dolophine). Other medications used to treat diarrhea such as pain, diarrhea and cough can have effect on efficiency of Naltrexone. Let your doctor know that you have taken any of these drugs in the last 7-10 days. If you had taken some drugs you are not sure whether they are opioids, seek more information regarding classification of the substance from your doctor. Patients who have used opioids in the last 7-10 days are advised not to use this medication.
• Avoid using opioid medications or opioid street drugs when using Naltrexone. This drug inhibits efficiency of opioid medication and street drugs. The effect of opioids is completely not detected when taken in small or normal amounts. If you use opioid related drugs or medications in large quantities when using Naltrexone, it may cause serious side effects such as death and coma (extended unconsciousness).
• Patients who take opioid medication prior to using Naltrexone are likely to develop higher sensitivity to naltrexone after the treatment is over. After the treatment program is over, inform other doctors that you had been treated recently with Naltrexone.
• Let your doctor know of other nonprescription and prescription medication, herbal products, vitamins and nutritional supplements you maybe using or are intending to start using. You should also inform the doctor regarding medications such as thioridazine and disulfiram (antabuse). The doctor may need to modify the medications or trace side effects that may be caused by the drugs.
• Inform the doctor if you have or have ever suffered from depression or kidney diseases.
• Let your doctor know if you are expectant or expecting to become in the near future; and whether you are breast feeding. Let your doctor know if you become pregnant when using this medication.
• If you require surgery eg dental operation or medical treatment, inform the surgeon that you are using naltrexone. Carrying or wearing medical identity cards when using Naltrexone is a smart idea since emergency doctors who may treat you in case of emergency will be aware that you are using the drug.
• Many people using drugs and alcohol become depressed ad vulnerable to suicidal tendencies. Naltrexone does not lower the risk of patients developing tendencies to harm themselves. Contact your doctor immediately in case you start experiencing symptoms of anxiousnesss, sadness, worthlessness, hopelessness, guilt and thoughts of harming others as well as yourself. Let your family know some of the serious symptoms they should be on the look out for so that they can contact the medical expert in case you a unable do so on your own.

Are there special dietary instructions to be observed?

Just continue taking your normal diets unless advised otherwise by your doctor.

Caution to take after forgetting regular dose

Take the dose immediately you recall but if it is almost time for the next dose just skip it and continue with your normal dosing program. At no condition should you dare take double dose to compensate for the skipped dose.

Side effects that may be caused by Naltrexone

Naltrexone is attributed with a number of side effects that you should inform your doctor if tey become bothersome:

• Cramping and stomach pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Anxiety
• Tearfulness
• Irritability
• Nervousness
• Insomnia
• Dwindled or increased energy
• Rash
• Drowsiness
• Joint and muscle pain

Some of these side effects can be extreme. In case you experience any of these symptoms or any of those outlined in the section of IMPORTANT WARNING, let your doctor know immediately.

• Blurred vision
• Confusion
• Hallucinations (seeing imaginary things)
• Severe diarrhea and vomiting

Naltrexone can cause other side effects not outlined in this article; therefore contact your doctor in case you note any suspicious symptom.

Recommended storage conditions for Naltrexone

The medication should be kept in the bottle it came in when it is tightly closed and out of children’s reach. It should also be stored away from excess moisture and heat found in places such as bathroom. Expired medication should be discarded properly. You can seek advice from your chemist regarding the right disposal of unwanted drugs.

Overdose or emergency

Call the poisons control board immediately is overdose is suspected. Call the local emergency services if the patient has collapsed or is not inhaling.

Additional information you should know

Inform your lab technician or doctor that you are taking naltrexone prior to taking any lab tests.

Seek answers from your pharmacist or doctor regarding questions you may have about Naltrexone.

Compile a list of all the prescription and over-the-counter (nonprescription) medication that you may be using including other products such as minerals, vitamins and dietary supplements. Take with you this list every time you are admitted to a hospital or you are visiting a doctor. Te list is also crucial if you can carry it everywhere such that in case of emergencies the EMS staff will know the right medication for you.