Author: Alex Thompson

VIVITROL® for Alcohol Dependence and Opioid Dependence

It can also be used to test the residual of ingested drugs. A saliva test can help detect Vivitrol 24 hours after a person took the last dose. You may also want to ask your doctor about other treatments for alcohol and opioid dependence. Vivitrol works by blocking binding sites in your body where opioids attach.

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Here’s a side-by-side comparison of Vivitrol and Suboxone. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to know more about these drugs. If you’d like to learn more about Vivitrol, talk with your doctor.

Vivitrol vs. naltrexone

So, if you take opioids during Vivitrol treatment, you won’t get a “high” feeling from the opioid. However, if you take larger doses of opioids to try and get high, this could lead to opioid overdose. In clinical trials, both weight gain and weight loss were reported with Vivitrol treatment.

If you’re not sure if you’ll need to get prior authorization for Vivitrol, contact your insurance company. Your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization before they approve coverage for Vivitrol. This means that your doctor will need to send a request to your insurance company asking them to cover the drug.

Is weight gain possible from using Vivitrol?

There may be other long-term side effects caused by Vivitrol, but more studies are needed to know for sure. Although these were rare in studies, they can be serious. Keep in mind that side effects may vary slightly depending on the reason you’re taking the drug. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Vivitrol.

  1. And don’t stop using Vivitrol unless your doctor recommends it.
  2. For more information on the possible side effects of Vivitrol, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
  3. Call your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of liver problems.
  4. As with all medications, Vivitrol can also cause a few negative side effects ranging from mild to severe.

To sum up, Vivitrol can be used to help stop opioid cravings, but it won’t work quickly enough in the case of an opioid overdose. Narcan can be used in the case of an opioid overdose, but it won’t help in the treatment of alcohol or opioid dependence. It’s also important that you don’t take Adderall with opioid medications or alcohol. Because Adderall is a stimulant medication, it increases your brain activity and heart rate.

Will I need to use this drug long term?

Usually, dropping out of an opioid-treatment study indicates that the person has relapsed. These lists contain examples of more common side effects that can occur with Vivitrol, with Suboxone, or with both drugs (when taken individually). People who drink alcohol while taking Vivitrol tend to have the same side effects as other people who drink alcohol. This includes loss of coordination and a slower response time. Alcohol use disorder is when you have a drinking problem that may become serious.

What’s the expected timeline of Vivitrol side effects? Are any side effects long term?

You also shouldn’t use tramadol within 7 to 10 days before starting to take Vivitrol. Tramadol is an opioid, and Vivitrol blocks the effects of opioids. This may lead to serious injury including overdose or death. The only conditions both Vivitrol and naltrexone are used to treat are opioid dependence and alcohol dependence. In another study that compared Vivitrol to Suboxone, there was no significant difference between the effectiveness of the two drugs.

Dopamine creates pleasant feelings and sends signals that make your body want to drink alcohol again. Blocking dopamine release helps you have fewer cravings, which can help keep you from drinking alcohol. Weight gain and weight loss were each reported by people taking Vivitrol in studies.

For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Note that this list is not all-inclusive and includes only common medications that may interact with Vivitrol. You should refer to the prescribing information for Vivitrol for a complete list of interactions.

It’s possible that using Vivitrol can cause liver injury. If you have belly pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or dark urine, tell your doctor right away. Sometimes liver injury can be treated, and other times it may cause long-term problems. For more information on the possible side effects of Vivitrol, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be bothersome. It isn’t known whether it’s safe to use Vivitrol while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Vivitrol. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. You are encouraged to report all side effects to the FDA.