Long-term side effects of naltrexone can include liver damage, in some cases. Talk to your doctor immediately if you notice stomach pain, yellow eyes, extreme fatigue or dark urine while taking naltrexone. Certain people may experience intense nausea or throwing up, especially after receiving the injectable form of naltrexone. This side effect is particularly prevalent in first-timer users and, fortunately, goes away in a few days without requiring intervention. Those with severe, persistent nausea must contact a doctor to sort it out immediately. In the clinical studies, treatment with naltrexone supported abstinence, prevented relapse and decreasedalcohol consumption.
Side Effects of Naltrexone Oral Tablet: What You Need to Know
Low-dose naltrexone side effects may include sleep disturbances, headaches, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, mood changes, and muscle or joint pain. LDN can also lead to severe side effects including, allergic reactions, severe insomnia, and severe gastrointestinal problems. This web site offers health, wellness, fitness and nutritional information and is provided for informational purposes only. This information is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly.
thoughts on “Naltrexone Side Effects & Adverse Reactions (List)”
Whenever taking a pharmaceutical drug like naltrexone, it is important to assess whether its therapeutic benefits outweigh its side effects. Conversely, an unlucky subset of naltrexone users may experience debilitating side effects and experience zero therapeutic benefit; this is a dystopian outcome that no one wants. Other medical conditions such as those with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, and various autoimmune disorders may be at increased risk of side effects – especially at higher doses. This is because naltrexone may decrease autoimmunity, which in turn upregulates production of endogenous thyroid, and decreases need for exogenous thyroid medications. Patients concurrently administering thyroid medications may experience side effects while taking naltrexone as a result of excess thyroid (or hyperthyroidism).
Gabapentin and Alcohol
However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Effects and Risks of Naltrexone
- For example, with opioid pain relievers, combining LDN with drugs like Ultram (tramadol) and OxyContin (oxycodone) may cause withdrawal symptoms.
- Should you feel the need to use opioids while on or after stopping naltrexone, contact your healthcare provider.
- Low-dose naltrexone takes around 4-6 weeks to show noticeable effects.
- If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible.
- Most side effects of naltrexone go away on their own within a few weeks.
Naltrexone differs in structure from oxymorphone in that the methyl group on the nitrogen atom is replaced by a cyclopropylmethyl group. Naltrexone Hydrochloride Tablets USP are also related to the potent opioid antagonist, naloxone, or n-allylnoroxymorphone. The chemical name for naltrexone hydrochloride is Morphinan-6-one, 17-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4,5-epoxy- 3,14-dihydroxy-, hydrochloride, (5α)-.
Side effects of naltrexone oral tablet can vary depending on the dose and condition that’s being treated. Although not common, naltrexone oral tablet may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug.
What about increasing the dose of naltrexone?
It is not a controlled substance and does not require special training for prescription. Naltrexone is often used before drinking, known as the Sinclair method, naltrexone side effects as a way to reduce alcohol use for people who are unable or unwilling to adopt abstinence. Dr. John David Sinclair showed that the longer someone abstained from drinking, the more intense cravings they had, and he called this the “alcohol deprivation effect”. However, when given naltrexone before drinking, the cravings would greatly decrease, resulting in only one alcoholic drink before the person no longer craved alcohol.
- Alcohol use disorder, commonly known by the colloquial term alcoholism, is a chronic condition.
- Do not take naltrexone unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider.
- Acamprosate helps balance brain chemistry to reduce alcohol cravings.
- Whether or not naltrexone hydrochloride affects the duration of labor and delivery is unknown.
- This comprehensive approach helps ensure that LDN therapy is both safe and effective.
- So, many people taking naltrexone find that sticking it out while their bodies adjust to naltrexone is worth it in the long run to achieve their goals of drinking less or cutting out alcohol altogether.
For some, the side effects resulting from naltrexone are so debilitating, that discontinuation and/or pursuit of an alternative treatment is necessary. In this manner, naltrexone is used for what is known as medication-assisted treatment (MAT), where medicines are used to assist with treating alcohol and opioid use disorders. Naltrexone is sometimes preferred over methadone and buprenorphine as its use and availability are not as restricted.
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. Tell all of your healthcare providers that you are using naltrexone, so that they can provide you with appropriate care. In case of an emergency, people using naltrexone should carry an identification card stating that they are on naltrexone. If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
By blocking these receptors temporarily, LDN triggers a rebound effect, leading to an increase in the production of these beneficial compounds. One of the most common side effects of naltrexone is mild to severe nausea. This side effect can last for the first few days of treatment, or may persist for some time. Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is widely used to manage chronic pain, inflammation, and autoimmune conditions.
Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects of naltrexone. Naltrexone Twelve-step program is only helpful when it is used as part of an addiction treatment program. It is important that you attend all counseling sessions, support group meetings, education programs, or other treatments recommended by your doctor. This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment.
