This medicine is used for the following purposes:
- drug addiction
- alcohol dependence
Brand Name(s): Vivitrol
Generic Name: Naltrexone Extended-Release
Instructions
This medicine will be given to you at the doctor's office.
This medicine is given as an injection into a muscle.
This medicine should only be used by a person who has been trained to recognize when and how it should be used.
Drug interactions can change how medicines work or increase risk for side effects. Tell your health care providers about all medicines taken. Include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal medicines. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist before starting or stopping any medicine.
Keep all appointments for medical exams and tests while on this medicine.
Cautions
Rarely, this medicine may cause serious injury at the site of injection. Call your doctor right away if you notice any pain, swelling, blisters, sores, lumps under the skin, or scabbing at the injection site.
This medicine is associated with a rare, but serious problem of the liver. Speak to your doctor about the early signs of liver problems and the benefits and risks of using this medicine.
You may become more sensitive to effects of opioid medicines during or after using this medicine. This can increase risk of serious or fatal overdose.
Your ability to stay alert or to react quickly may be impaired by this medicine. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you.
If possible, avoid using with alcohol, marijuana, or other medicines that can cause dizziness or drowsiness. These include allergy/cold products, muscle relaxers, sleep aids, and pain relievers.
Tell the doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant, planning to be pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Do not breastfeed while on this medicine. This medicine can pass through breast milk to the baby.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any swelling of your hands, face, lips, eyes, throat or tongue.
Always carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet indicating your medical condition.
Some patients have serious side effects from this medicine. Ask your pharmacist to show you the information from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and discuss it with you.
Side Effects
The following is a list of some common side effects from this medicine. Please speak with your doctor about what you should do if you experience these or other side effects.
- agitated feeling or trouble sleeping
- decreased appetite
- dizziness or drowsiness
- lack of energy and tiredness
- headaches
- pain, redness, swelling near injection
- joint or muscle pain
- nausea
- stomach upset or abdominal pain
Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you notice any of these more serious side effects:
- severe abdominal or pelvic pain
- severe allergic reaction
- chest pain
- confusion
- diarrhea
- hallucinations (unusual thoughts, seeing or hearing things that are not real)
- severe or persistent headache
- signs of liver damage (such as yellowing of eye or skin, dark urine, or unusual tiredness)
- nervousness
- runny nose
- shakiness
- shortness of breath
- light colored stool
- severe or persistent vomiting
A few people may have an allergic reaction to this medicine. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, skin rash, itching, swelling, or severe dizziness. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical help quickly.
Please speak with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have any questions about this medicine.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This document tells you briefly how to take your medicine, but it does not tell you all there is to know about it. Your doctor or pharmacist may give you other documents about your medicine. Please talk to them if you have any questions. Always follow their advice.
There is a more complete description of this medicine available in English. Scan this code on your smartphone or tablet or use the web address below. You can also ask your pharmacist for a printout. If you have any questions, please ask your pharmacist.
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More information about NALTREXONE SUSPENSION - INJECTION
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Selected from data included with permission and copyright by First DataBank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.
Conditions of Use: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. The display and use of this drug information is subject to express Terms of Use.
