What is Naltrexone: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Naltrexone overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Revia

Generic Names:

  • Naltrexone Hcl

Uses:

  • Helps prevent alcohol or drug abuse relapse.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antidote, Ethanol Dependency, Opioid Dependency

Forms:

  • Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Naltrexone used for?

What form(s) does Naltrexone come in

  • Tablet

What are common Naltrexone doses?

  • Tablet 50MG

  • Bottle 1GM of

  • Bottle 5GM of

  • Bottle 10GM of

  • Bottle 25GM of

  • Bottle 100GM of

  • Bottle 500GM of

  • Jar 1GM of

Common Naltrexone prescriptions

  • Naltrexone HCl
    50mg tablet

How to take Naltrexone

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

What to do if you miss a dose of Naltrexone

Naltrexone contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to naltrexone, or if you are currently using narcotic medicine.

Naltrexone warnings

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease (including hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis), or a history of depression or mental illness.

  • You have a higher risk of accidental overdose, serious injury, or death if you use heroin or any other narcotic medicine while you are being treated with naltrexone. Also, naltrexone prevents you from feeling the effects of heroin if you use it.

  • This medicine may increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor right away if you start to feel depressed or have thoughts about hurting yourself.

  • This medicine may cause liver problems.

  • Tell your doctor and all other caregivers that you are taking naltrexone. You may need to carry a card to let others know you are taking this medicine if you have a medical emergency. Ask your doctor about this.

Naltrexone interactions

  • Do not take this medicine if you are using or have used heroin or other narcotic drugs (such as buprenorphine, codeine, methadone, or other habit-forming painkillers) within the past 7 to 10 days.

  • Some foods and medicines can affect how naltrexone works. Tell your doctor if you are using disulfiram, thioridazine, or medicine for pain, diarrhea, cough, or colds.

  • This medicine may increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor right away if you start to feel depressed or have thoughts about hurting yourself.

  • This medicine may cause liver problems.

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • Tell your doctor and all other caregivers that you are taking naltrexone. You may need to carry a card to let others know you are taking this medicine if you have a medical emergency. Ask your doctor about this.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Naltrexone side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Anxiety, confusion, depression, or unusual thoughts and behaviors

  • Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, or yellow skin or eyes

  • Trouble sleeping, getting upset easily, a big increase in energy, or reckless behavior

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Constipation, diarrhea, stomach cramps or pain

  • Joint or muscle pain

  • Headache

  • Dizziness or drowsiness

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