Treating Alcoholism and Addiction With Vivitrol

Treating Alcoholism and Addiction With Vivitrol Addiction Coping and Recovery Overcoming Addiction Print Vivitrol Treatment for Alcoholism and Addiction How the Medication Changes Your Brains Reaction to Alcohol By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 05, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 22, 2020 Hero Images / Getty Images More in Addiction Coping and Recovery Overcoming Addiction Methods and Support Personal Stories Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Nicotine Use In This Article Table of Contents Expand How It Works Administration Is It Right for You? Vivitrol vs. Other Medications Side Effects Effectiveness View All Back To Top Vivitrol is an extended-release formulation of naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist used in the treatment of alcoholism and opioid addiction. While naltrexone hydrochloride is for both daily and once-a-month dosages,  Vivitrol is the once-a-month form of the medication. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Vivitrol for the treatment of alcohol abuse in 2006.?? How Vivitrol Works Vivitrol works by blocking the effect that opioids have on the brain, and reduces the cravings that many people experience after they quit.?? Physicians prescribe Vivitrol for patients who have already stopped drinking and using opioid drugs (such as morphine, heroin,  and prescription pain medications) and who have gone through a detoxification process. With alcohol, it is not certain how Vivitrol actually works, but it seems to change how the brain responds to alcohol consumption. Administration You administer Vivitrol by intramuscular injection once a month. One of the main problems with the daily dosages of naltrexone was medication compliance; patients had to remember and be willing to take the pills each day. With the once-a-month shot, medication compliance is less of a factor in the treatment plan.?? Once-A-Month Naltrexone Injection Effective Is Vivitrol Right for You? Patients already completely detoxed from alcohol and opioids are candidates for Vivitrol.?? It is not intended to help someone stop drinking. According to the FDA, patients must not have any opioids in their system when they start taking Vivitrol; otherwise, they may experience  withdrawal symptoms  from the opioids. Also, patients may be more sensitive to opioids while taking Vivitrol at the time their next scheduled dose is due. If they miss a dose or after treatment with Vivitrol has ended, patients can accidentally overdose if they restart opioid use. Patients with acute hepatitis or liver failure  should not take Vivitrol. Vivitrol vs. Other Medications Vivitrol is the first non-narcotic, non-addictive, extended-release medication approved for the treatment of opioid dependence. Methadone and  buprenorphine, also  approved for opioid addiction treatment, can be addictive.??  Methadone  is available only through specialized clinics.  Buprenorphine  is available through doctors offices, but it and methadone require daily doses. Side Effects According to the FDA, side effects of Vivitrol during trial studies include:?? Nausea and  vomitingTirednessHeadacheDizzinessPainful jointsMuscle cramps Other potentially serious side effects of Vivitrol include: Reactions at the injection site, which can be severe and may require surgical interventionLiver damageAllergic reactions, such as hives, rashes, facial swellingPneumoniaFeeling depressed??Suicide, suicidal thoughts, and suicidal behavior Alkermes, the drugs manufacturer, claims the main side effects are:?? Inflammation of nasal passagesIncreased liver enzymesInsomnia Effectiveness Vivitrol works best in conjunction with an overall treatment program.   Research shows it is more effective than medications requiring a daily dose and double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials show Vivitrol effectively prevents relapse and reduces drug cravings.   FDA trials found Vivitrol patients are  more likely to stay in treatment and to refrain from using illicit drugs and  36 percent were able to stay in treatment for the full six months without using drugs, compared with 23 percent in the placebo group. Naltrexone for Maintaining Drug Abstinence by Eliminating Desire