Does it help with cravings?

Drugs.com

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Vivitrol (naltrexone) can help reduce opioid or alcohol cravings in people with an opioid or alcohol use disorder. It blocks the euphoric effects of opioids or alcohol, reduces cravings and helps to prevent relapse. It is administered as a once-monthly injection.

Research suggests that Vivitrol leads to a reduction in cravings within the first two to three weeks of treatment and continues to stave off cravings throughout treatment.

  • One clinical trial found that Vivitrol seemed to reduce self-reported opioid cravings more quickly than Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone), another drug used to prevent opioid relapse. However, after 24 weeks of treatment, both drugs were associated with similar levels of self-reported opioid cravings.
  • In another trial comparing Vivitrol and Suboxone, prior heroin users receiving Vivitrol had fewer heroin cravings and thoughts of heroin than those who took Suboxone.
  • A study of people being treated for alcohol dependence in an inpatient substance abuse program found that those who received Vivitrol saw their alcohol cravings dissipate more quickly than those who did not take Vivitrol.
  • However, some patients may experience cravings during treatment. If breakthrough cravings occur, a doctor may recommend getting Vivitrol injections once every three weeks instead of the standard four-week cycle. Cravings are more likely to return after discontinuing treatment with Vivitrol.

    How Vivitrol curbs cravings is not fully understood. One potential explanation is that people are less likely to crave opioids or alcohol if they know that they will not feel their euphoric effects while taking Vivitrol.

    Related medical questions

    Disclaimer

    Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

    The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

    Popular Keywords