Keep reading to learn about common, mild, and serious side effects naltrexone alcoholism symptoms can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this in-depth naltrexone article. Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
Related Disease Conditions
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How the Naltrexone 50 mg Tablet Can Support Your Mindful Drinking Goals
- If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.
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- While many people tolerate it well, some may experience nausea, fatigue, headaches, or mood shifts.
- Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.
Naltrexone is an FDA-approved medication for the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD). It acts as an opioid receptor antagonist and effectively mitigates the reinforcing effects of alcohol and opioids by blocking their ability to activate endogenous opioid pathways. The naltrexone side effects medication is an effective option for both people who want to remain abstinent from alcohol and those who just want to drink less. Some patients, with the guidance of a medical provider, intentionally take naltrexone only one to two hours before they know they will have a drink (sometimes referred to as “The Sinclair Method”). Whether your goal is to remain abstinent from alcohol or just manage your relationship with alcohol, it’s important to follow your medical provider’s guidance should you be prescribed the medication.
Don’t Eat High-Fat Meals With the Dose

There are also mixed results from research focused on using the drug as an adjunctive agent in treating compulsive disorders. No, avoiding the high-fat diet here isn’t just to aid weight loss. The fat content can actually affect the drug’s absorption rate, which could lead to a higher risk of seizures. Although naltrexone monotherapy isn’t effective or FDA-approved for weight loss, combining it with bupropion (an antidepressant) seems promising. Just because a couple of hypotheses show how naltrexone might reduce cravings, food intake, and appetite doesn’t mean it’s an ideal weight-loss medication.
