It is not a magic bullet for weight loss, but rather a tool to help individuals manage their cravings and maintain https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/naltrexone-side-effects-uses-and-risks/ a healthy eating plan. Naltrexone is a medication originally developed in the 1980s for the treatment of alcohol and opioid addiction. It works by blocking the effects of opioids and reducing the cravings for substances like alcohol and drugs.
The Role of Endorphins and Appetite Regulation
In rare cases, anti-nausea medications might be necessary, but these should only be used under your doctor’s guidance. Sleep changes were a common side effect reported in studies of naltrexone. These may include liver problems or mood changes, such as depression. If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care. If you develop serious side effects while taking naltrexone, call your doctor right away.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
It’s prescribed as one part of a treatment program that may include counseling, psychotherapy, education, and support groups. Taking opioid medications during treatment with naltrexone oral tablet or after stopping naltrexone can increase your risk of opioid overdose. Although they weren’t common, cases of opioid overdose have been reported in people who took opioids during or after treatment with naltrexone in clinical trials. Yes, VIVITROL is a brand name for the extended-release injectable form of naltrexone.
Once a patient stops drinking, taking Naltrexone helps in sustaining their recovery. Naltrexone is primarily known as an opioid receptor antagonist, often utilized in the treatment of alcohol and opioid dependence. However, recent studies have investigated its use as a weight loss aid. When used in a weight management context, Naltrexone works by modulating the brain’s reward system, which can reduce cravings and help manage eating behaviors. Naltrexone and Wellbutrin (bupropion) cause weight loss by targeting different pathways in the brain that influence appetite and cravings. Naltrexone, typically administered at a dose of 50 mg, reduces hunger and cravings, including those for other opioids, while bupropion may increase metabolism and decrease appetite.
Health Library
- Some patients lose ten pounds in three weeks, while others achieve the same results after two or three months.
- Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions.
- It is impossible to overestimate the significance of sleep in weight loss.
- Its effects on the mu opioid receptor and its implications for treatment at this dose are actively being explored to understand its full range of applications.
- It is very important that your healthcare provider check your progress at regular visits.
Working closely with a qualified professional ensures you’re taking the right dose and being monitored for potential issues. At my LA-based clinic, we provide personalized care to help our patients succeed with LDN and other weight loss strategies. Some individuals notice heightened anxiety or irritability when they first start taking LDN. Deep breathing exercises, mindfulness techniques, and stress-reduction activities like yoga can help ease these feelings. If anxiety persists, talk to your healthcare provider about potential dosage adjustments.
How does naltrexone compare with naloxone?
After all, some clinical studies relied on behavioral modification, not just the naltrexone/bupropion blend. If you’re taking Contrave, it’s also wise to stay hydrated to reduce constipation. Currax Pharmaceuticals recommends taking the tablet with 8 oz of water and drinking more water throughout the day.
But how does Naltrexone work, and is it the right choice for you? In this comprehensive blog, we will explore the science behind Naltrexone’s role in weight loss, its benefits, potential side effects, and how it fits into a holistic approach to weight management. Research on the use of naltrexone for weight loss is limited, and findings from available studies are mixed. While some studies have reported modest weight loss among individuals taking naltrexone, others have found no significant effects on weight or have observed weight gain in some cases. Naltrexone is prescribed after you’ve stopped drinking alcohol.
- It is thought that by decreasing the release of dopamine, naltrexone may reduce the desire to overeat.
- There are no known interactions between naltrexone and foods or drinks.
- Extended-release injectable naltrexone is approved for treatment of people with opioid use disorder.
- Content clinically reviewed and medically verified by licensed experts to meet California Prime Recovery’s highest standards of trust, transparency, and evidence-based care.
Naltrexone could affect appetite and cravings, and this is a key area of research for weight loss. However, some research suggests that naltrexone’s effect on opioid receptors plays a significant role in stimulating appetite. Studies conducted by Stanford University show that low doses of the drug are highly effective in the treatment of multiple fibromyalgia symptoms, ranging from pain to fatigue. It was discovered alcoholism that 4.5mg per day of the medication significantly reduced pain in its users as compared to those who used a placebo.
The hypothalamus is a gland in your brain that sends signals that can help to control your appetite. Dopamine is a chemical found in the brain that is responsible for pleasure and rewards. Contrave may work by increasing dopamine levels and acting at the hypothalamus to decrease appetite. Half life is a measure of how long it would take half of a dose of a drug to be processed and eliminated. For naltrexone, the average elimination half-life of naltrexone is between 4 hours and 13 hours.
- However, these longer intervals can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment and may increase the risk of liver injury.
- Your body will become more susceptible to opioids after using this medication.
- A multi-faceted approach tends to yield better outcomes than medication alone.
- The low-dose regimen leverages the drug’s anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects, offering potential benefits beyond its traditional use in addiction treatment.
Naltrexone causes withdrawal symptoms in people who are using opioids. Take this medicine only as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your healthcare provider ordered. This medicine is available only with your healthcare provider’s prescription. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take naltrexone while breastfeeding.
This medicine may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. Make sure your healthcare provider knows if you have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you have any sudden or strong feelings, including feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. Let your healthcare provider know if you or anyone in your family has tried to commit suicide. This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with naltrexone.
Although naltrexone is licensed to treat drug abuse disorders rather than obesity or overweight, weight loss may be a side effect. Consult your doctor about Contrave if you’re searching for a medical weight loss option. According to studies, Contrave causes greater weight loss than naltrexone by itself. Before using this medication, you should cease using opioids and alcohol.