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Other drug names: | A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9 |
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Large doses of naltrexone may cause liver failure. Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease. If you experience the following symptoms, stop taking naltrexone and call your doctor immediately: excessive tiredness, unusual bleeding or bruising, loss of appetite, pain in the upper right part of your stomach, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. |
Naltrexone is used to help people who have a narcotic or alcohol addiction stay drug free. Naltrexone is used after the patient has stopped taking drugs or alcohol. It works by blocking the effects of narcotics or by decreasing the craving for alcohol.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Naltrexone comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken once a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take naltrexone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Naltrexone helps decrease the craving for narcotics or alcohol but does not treat addiction. It is important that you attend all counseling, support group meetings, and other treatments prescribed by your doctor. Take naltrexone regularly. Do not stop taking it without talking to your doctor.
If, in the past 7-10 days, you have taken opioids (morphine, codeine, or others; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information), tell your doctor before taking the first dose of naltrexone. Naltrexone will cause withdrawal if you have opioids in your blood.
Your doctor may perform a challenge test before you begin taking naltrexone. A small dose of naloxone (a drug similar to naltrexone) will be injected into your vein or under your skin, and you will be watched for symptoms of drug withdrawal. If you have symptoms, you will need to wait a few days before beginning naltrexone.
You should take naltrexone as directed by your physician. If you take heroin or any other opioid in small doses, you will not perceive any effect. Do not take large doses of heroin or any other narcotic; you may die or sustain serious injury, including coma.
Before taking naltrexone,
If you miss your daily dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
If you are on a different dosing schedule, check with your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor.
Although side effects from naltrexone are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to naltrexone.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
Last Revised - 01/01/2003
The MedMaster Patient Drug Information database provides information copyrighted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland Copyright© 2004. All Rights Reserved.
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Page last updated: 04 October 2004 |