Naltrexone is a prescription medication known for its opioid antagonist capabilities and heroin reversal properties. Naltrexone is a super medication like no other! Typically sold under brand names such as ReVia and Vivitrol, Naltrexone is a life-saving medication that has helped reverse the effects of opioid overdoses for years in the making.

Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for public use, Naltrexone can help save the life of someone who is overdosing on an opioid drug. Naltrexone is especially useful today to fight the ongoing opioid abuse epidemic, helping to save the lives of thousands of individuals overdosing or misusing opiates. Having Naltrexone on hand in an emergency can help reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. They are giving an individual precious added time to remain breathing and alive until medical professionals arrive on the scene to assist. Naltrexone can be used by anyone in the public setting in an emergency and is generally easy to use.

How Does Naltrexone Work?

So, now you know that Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that reverses the effects of opiate overdose. You know the FDA has approved it for public use. That administering the medication is relatively easy. And that the drug should only ever be used in a medical emergency or with a physician’s explicit approval for drug detox. But how exactly does Naltrexone work not only to stop but reverse the effects of an opioid overdose?

Naltrexone itself is not an opioid or even a partial opioid. The medication is not addictive and does not onset withdrawal symptoms when they cease using the drug. The medication works to block the effects of active and entering opioids in the body. Naltrexone blocks the effects of involved (already consumed opioids) and entering opioids (opioids that are presently being consumed). The medicine does this by attaching its chemical structure to the opioid receptors in the brain. By connecting to the opioid receptors in the brain, Naltrexone physically blocks any opioid or opiate medication from binding to these specific neurons in the mind. Doing this helps to ensure the euphoric and sedative effects of opioids do not take effect.

By binding to and blocking the opioids that enter into the individual’s system, Naltrexone works to keep the effects of opiates from building. Thus the medication works by helping to stave off drug cravings, allowing clients to focus on their healing rather than addiction. Or cutting the results of an overdose so that the body has time to breathe before emergency personal make it on the scene to present life-saving medical aid. Even though Naltrexone can bind to and block opioids, the medications itself is not a full or partial opiate. There is no risk for abuse with Naltrexone.

The Side Effects of Naltrexone Use

Even though Naltrexone does not hold the potential for abuse, that does not mean it is “risk-free” of side effects. Just like other medications, the use of Naltrexone may not be suitable for everyone. Of course, in emergencies like overdose, the medicine is, in fact, ideal for everyone. But suppose someone is trying to use the medication to wean off opioids or alcohol. In that case, it can present some forms of complications, depending on the individual, their history of use, and personal, pre-existing health conditions. Some of the most common side effects associated with Naltrexone include:

  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Painful joints
  • Muscle cramps
  • Cold symptoms
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Toothache
  • Decreased appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Sleepiness
  • Blisters
  • Intense generlaixed pain
  • Swelling
  • Rash

And more. Before you start using Naltrexone for any other kind of treatment different from opioid overdose reversal, you must first speak with your physician. It would be best to talk with your doctor about any pre-existing conditions you may have and how they may interact with this medicine. Having this talk with your physician can help to save yourself a lot of time and unnecessary pain. Although Naltrexone is safe for most individuals, it may not be suitable for everyone. And although the drug does not hold the potential for abuse itself, it may onset some mild to severely uncomfortable health complications and side effects.

When to Use Naltrexone

Naltrexone is a life-saving medication that is often used to aid in the reversal of opioid overdose symptoms. Opioid overdose reversal is Naltrexone’s primary purpose for existing and form of use. But clients can use the medication to help treat other conditions related to addiction. Naltrexone can be used to treat opioid overdose, long-term opioid addiction weaning, and even gradually getting off of alcohol abuse. Yet even though Naltrexone does not present a potential for abuse or addiction itself, clients and physicians must be careful to use the medicine at the correct times. Making sure to use Naltrexone at the proper time can help prevent any unwanted side effects.

In an emergency like opioid overdose, an individual may administer Naltrexone to the victim at any point in time when they realize the life-threatening situation is taking place. Of course, the sooner Naltrexone is administered in these emergency circumstances, the better. The sooner a client receives Naltrexone in a life-threatening event like an overdose, the more likely survival chances are.  Otherwise, make sure to consult with your physician about when to start Naltrexone when treating other addiction-related conditions. In some cases like alcohol abuse and addiction, you should wait until after you have completed the process of detoxing to start Naltrexone use.

Waiting to start Naltrexone use until a few days after detox completion can help reduce your chances of experiencing any adverse side effects from the medicine, allowing the drug to help manage your withdrawal pain and sedate substance cravings you can concentrate on your healing and rehab more fully. Everyone reacts to medication usage differently. But Naltrexone is generally a very safe and effective medicine to use to treat opioid and alcohol addictions.

Not every drug and alcohol rehab facility will give you the option to make use of Naltrexone in your treatment program. Still, here at St. John’s Recovery Place (SJRP), we believe in the power of medication-assisted treatments, conventional medicine, and alternative therapies. If you would like to know more about SJRP, our campus grounds, or the services we provide, call us today at 1-833-397-3422. Contacting us or visiting our website can help you learn more about our mission and vision. We want to help you return to a healthy, happy, and substance-free lifestyle, and we will do all that we can to support you through recovery. You won’t regret the conversation you have with us.

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