What is naltrexone injection?
Naltrexone blocks the effects of narcotic medicines and alcohol.
Naltrexone injection is used to treat addiction to alcohol or narcotic drugs. It is also used to prevent narcotic addiction relapse.
Naltrexone injection may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about naltrexone injection?
Do not use narcotic drugs or alcohol while you are being treated with naltrexone injection. Never try to overcome the effects of the medication by using large doses of narcotic drugs or alcohol. Doing so could result in dangerous effects, including coma and death. Ask your doctor before using any prescription or over-the-counter medicine to treat a cold, cough, diarrhea, or pain during your treatment with naltrexone injection. These medicines may contain narcotics or alcohol.
Naltrexone injection may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
You may notice pain, redness, bruising, swelling, or a hard lump where the medication was injected. Call your doctor if you have this type of reaction to the shot, especially if it does not clear up or gets worse within 2 weeks.
Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you use naltrexone injection. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you are receiving this medication.
Additional forms of counseling and/or monitoring may be recommended during treatment with naltrexone injection.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving naltrexone injection?
Do not receive this injection if you are allergic to naltrexone, or if you have:
an addiction to narcotics;
a history of alcohol or narcotic drug use within the past 7-10 days; or
drug or alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
To make sure you can safely use naltrexone injection, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether naltrexone injection will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
It is not known whether naltrexone injection passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.