Before using Vivitrol, be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any use of prescription and/or illicit opioids. For example, if you’re taking oral naltrexone and would like to switch to Vivitrol, both drugs have the same active ingredient. Vivitrol is a brand name for injectable naltrexone, a medication used in the treatment of alcohol and opioid dependence. As a patient considering or starting Vivitrol treatment, it’s crucial to understand what this medication is and how it works. You must stop taking opioids before you start receiving VIVITROL.

VIVITROL2GETHER® and WITH YOU ALONG THE WAY® are registered service marks of Alkermes, Inc. While Vivitrol is generally safe, there are situations where immediate medical attention is necessary. Being aware of these scenarios can help you respond promptly to potential emergencies.

Naltrexone tablets are approved to treat opioid or alcohol dependence. The dosage for naltrexone tablets is usually 50 mg taken by mouth once per day. Sometimes, withdrawal symptoms can be serious and may require hospitalization.

Severe Depression or Suicidal Thoughts

If your first dose of Vivitrol is in your left buttock, your next dose will be in your right buttock. This is so you don’t develop scar tissue in the injection area. Before starting Vivitrol, you should not take any opioids for at least 7–10 days. This is to help prevent withdrawal symptoms, which can happen if you’ve recently taken opioids and then take Vivitrol. Vivitrol should not be used while you are using certain other medicines. Depression is an important cause of suicidal thoughts, especially in people with a history of alcohol use disorder.

The Vivitrol Injection Process

Vivitrol is an extended-release formulation of naltrexone, administered as a monthly intramuscular injection. It belongs to a class of drugs called opioid antagonists, which work by blocking the effects of opioids in the brain. If you’re interested in taking naltrexone tablets instead of Vivitrol injections, talk with your Vivitrol Injection Guide doctor. Sometimes, they may adjust your dose based on your specific treatment plan.

  • Tell all of your healthcare providers that you are using Vivitrol, so that they can provide you with appropriate care.
  • Tell your healthcare provider about any of the following.
  • Vivitrol injections are extended-release, meaning the drug is released over a period of time instead of all at once.
  • Remember, building a strong support network is crucial for long-term recovery.

Drug Recalls: What Do They Mean?

Reminders can include setting an alarm or using a timer. If you’re switching from an oral treatment to Vivitrol, your dosage may change. Be sure to talk with your doctor about the best way to switch from one medication to another.

Vivitrol is the brand name for the injectable form of naltrexone. You may have some questions about Vivitrol’s dosage before you start taking this medication. If you have additional questions about Vivitrol dosage, talk with your doctor before starting treatment. Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Vivitrol, including its strength and how Vivitrol injections (shots) are given. For a comprehensive look at Vivitrol, see this article.

an in-person visit.

Should you wish to stop Vivitrol, call your healthcare provider. Vivitrol (naltrexone) is commonly used for the following conditions. To view formulary information first create a list of plans. It’s crucial to maintain the dosing schedule to ensure continuous therapeutic levels of Naltrexone in the body. Missing a dose can significantly increase the risk of relapse. For more detailed information on the administration procedure, please refer to our Administration Procedure for Injectable Naltrexone (Vivitrol) page.

  • Should you wish to stop Vivitrol, call your healthcare provider.
  • It’s important to tell your doctor when you last took an opioid medication so that they can determine when you should start taking Vivitrol.
  • In case of an emergency, people using Vivitrol should carry an identification card stating that they are on Vivitrol.
  • Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop Vivitrol.

Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop Vivitrol. Vivitrol does not reduce or eliminate the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Vivitrol is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. Adding plans allows you to compare formulary status to other drugs in the same class.

Dosage Forms & Strengths

Talk with your healthcare provider about how to get and administer naloxone. If naloxone is needed, also call 911 to get emergency help. You may have symptoms if you have been using prescription and/or illicit opioids and suddenly stop using them. People who are in opioid withdrawal should not use Vivitrol. Tell your healthcare provider before you get Vivitrol if you have any of the following symptoms of opioid withdrawal.

Adverse Effects

A healthcare professional gives it as an intramuscular injection into the muscle of your buttock once every 4 weeks. A healthcare professional will give it as an intramuscular injection into your gluteal (buttock) muscle. Vivitrol is the brand name for injectable Naltrexone, a long-acting formulation of the opioid antagonist Naltrexone. This medication plays a crucial role in the treatment of both alcohol and opioid dependence. Vivitrol is designed to be administered once monthly, offering a convenient and effective option for individuals struggling with addiction. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take any opioid-containing medicines for pain, cough or colds, or diarrhea.

Vivitrol may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Vivitrol and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction. Some people receiving VIVITROL treatment have had a type of pneumonia that is caused by an allergic reaction. If this happens to you, you may need to be treated in the hospital. Your doctor or healthcare professional will alternate the injection site.

It’s important to tell your doctor when you last took an opioid medication so that they can determine when you should start taking Vivitrol. This will help them determine if Vivitrol is right for you. Make sure that you and your caregiver have the medicine naloxone, which is used to reverse the effects of opioids.

You may have nausea, especially after your first dose of Vivitrol. If you have nausea that does not go away or gets worse, tell your healthcare provider right away. Vivitrol is best used as part of a treatment program that uses counseling and support. Attend all therapy or support groups that may have been recommended to you. The most common side effects of Vivitrol are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.