Naltrexone HCL medication helps people overcome addiction to certain drugs such as opiates. Naltrexone HCL forms a part of a comprehensive drug abuse treatment programs (for instance, counseling, lifestyle changes, compliance monitoring, and behavioral programs).
People who are presently using opiates (including methadone) should avoid taking this medication. This could lead to sudden withdrawal symptoms.
American Integrative Pharmacy (AIP), led by Dr. Neema Yazdanpanah, provides safe and proven compounding treatments to patients in Long Beach, Torrance, Los Angeles, South Bay Orange County, Southern California areas, and nationwide.
Fighting the Use of Opiates and Alcohol
Naltrexone is classified in a category of drugs called opiate antagonists. This medication works in the brain to prevent the effects of opiates such as pain relief and a feeling of well-being. It reduces the patient’s desire to use opiates.
Furthermore, Naltrexone is also used in the treatment of alcohol abuse. It can enable individuals to consume lesser amounts of alcohol or quit drinking altogether. When used as a part of a comprehensive treatment program with lifestyle changes, counseling, and support, this medication also reduces the desire to have alcohol.
How to use Naltrexone HCL
This medication is taken by mouth, with or without food, typically 50mg one time a day or as prescribed by the physician. This med may be given to a patient as a part of a program in which the medical care provider will watch the patient take the medication.
In such cases, the physician may prescribe a higher dosage (100-150 mg) to be had every two to three days to make scheduling clinic visits more convenient for the patient. If the patient experiences an upset stomach, Naltrexone may be taken with antacids or food.
The patient should take a urine test to determine recent opiate use. The doctor may provide the patient with another medicine (naloxone challenge test) to examine opiate use. The patient should refrain from taking naltrexone for a minimum of 7 days prior to starting the naltrexone treatment. The patient may need to quit specific opiate drugs (such as methadone) at least 10 to 14 days prior to starting naltrexone.
The patient’s health condition and reaction to treatment will determine the dosage. The physician may start the patient at a lower dosage and evaluate them for any withdrawal symptoms or side effects before they increase the dose.
Patients should only take this medication as prescribed by the doctor, and they should not increase the dose, take it more frequently, or abstain from taking it without the doctor’s permission.
Taking this medication routinely will offer the most benefit. The patient can take it at the same time daily to help them remember. The patient must inform their doctor if they re-start using drugs or alcohol.
Side Effects
Headache, tiredness, dizziness, nausea, anxiety, and problems in sleeping may occur. In a small percentage of people, mild symptoms of opiate withdrawal may occur such as restlessness, muscle aches, abdominal cramps, runny nose, and bone/joint pain. The patient should promptly inform their physician if any of these symptoms persist or become worse.
The patient should understand that the doctor has adjudged the benefits or this medication to be more than the risk of side-effects. A majority of people using Naltrexone do not have severe side-effects.
American Integrative Pharmacy receives patients from Long Beach, Torrance, Los Angeles, South Bay Orange County, Southern California areas, and nationwide for a wide range of compounding treatments.
For more information on compound pharmacy medications available or to make an online prescription purchase, please click here or call Toll Free 1-855-247-7948.
American Integrative Pharmacy is located in Lomita, CA serving residents in and around Orange County, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Torrance and surrounding areas. Online prescription sales are available across the US.
