Growing rates of alcoholism and drug addiction have led to the proliferation of drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, drugs such as Vivitrol for alcohol, and emergent therapies. No direct comparisons of efficacy have been made between oral and depot naltrexone preparations. Nonetheless, among alcohol-dependent men who have been given Vivitrex®/Vivitrol® or in those using Naltrel®, estimates of efficacy appear to be comparable, with a small to medium effect size. The prescribing decision, therefore, probably will be guided by patient selection, history, characteristics, and preferences. Other suitable candidates for long-acting depot preparations of naltrexone might include alcohol-dependent individuals with a comorbid psychiatric disorder (Johnson 2006). The depot formulation would limit the need for additional pill taking to that required for managing the comorbid psychiatric disorder, which could enhance compliance.

He described the only side-effect as redness and a burning pain at the site of injection. But it did show the drug stifled the brain’s response to alcohol cues, which can translate to fewer cravings. It also found the GLP-1 agonists worked best to reduce alcohol intake in overweight patients, “so there may be certain subgroups that it’s helpful for,” Volpicelli, who wasn’t involved in the study, said. Vivitrol is used to reduce cravings in alcohol and drug dependence, as it blocks the feeling of pleasure that you get when you use drugs or drink alcohol.

Vivitrol and Drinking – What You Should Know

Our actions are rooted in respect for each member’s values, culture, and life experiences, and our commitment to their wellbeing is unwavering and without judgement. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Your doctor may start you at a lower dose and monitor you for any side effects or withdrawal symptoms before increasing your dose. Naltrexone belongs to a class of drugs known as opiate antagonists.

It is used as part of a complete treatment program for alcohol or opioid abuse (such as counseling, 12-step program, lifestyle changes). Oral naltrexone, rather than the injection, could be offered to improve participation, but oral naltrexone has to be taken daily, she said. Tablets are sold under the brand names ReVia and Depade, and are generally taken once per day. While tablets are the most commonly prescribed type of this medication, it can be difficult to remember to take the pill at the same time every day. If a dose is missed, or a person takes more of the medicine than prescribed, health complications can arise.

Administration of Vivitrol

The entire carton that contains Vivitrol should be stored in the refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C). Vivitrol can be stored at room temperature for up to 7 days before use. However, the medication should never be stored at temperatures higher than 77°F (25°C). And the medication hasn’t been studied in relation to weight loss.

Naltrexone can help keep you from feeling a “need” to use the opioid. The injection of psychoactive drugs, usually by the intravenous route, has been recognized for more than a century, and has become more widespread over recent decades (Golding, 1993; Derricot et al., 1999). We have been unable to identify any published examples of the recreational sober house injection of alcohol. We describe here three cases in which intravenous injection of alcohol is reported. Another subgroup that might benefit most, Volpicelli suspects, could be those with moderate forms of alcohol-use disorder. They tend to drink more for the buzz and less for the relief from withdrawal, as longer-term heavy drinkers do.