Precautions
How do you get on Vivitrol?
Steps for your doctor's office:Complete the specialty pharmacy form.Verify your insurance benefit(s) (if applicable)Discuss the VIVITROL ® Co-pay Savings Program.Send the Specialty Pharmacy form to a pharmacy.
Does Vivitrol require a prescription?
VIVITROL is a prescription injectable medicine used to: treat alcohol dependence. You should stop drinking before starting VIVITROL.
How much does one shot of Vivitrol cost?
But Vivitrol, which costs about $1,000 a shot, is also much more expensive than Suboxone, and up until now has had limited evidence showing how well it works.
Who can administer Vivitrol?
Vivitrol is prepared and administered by a licensed healthcare provider in a clinical setting once every four weeks.
Can a pharmacist administer Vivitrol?
Albertsons Companies pharmacies in 22 states are eligible to administer eight different injectable antipsychotic medications. In addition, the pharmacies are also able administer the addiction treatment medication Vivitrol, manufactured by Alkermes.
Is there a Vivitrol pill?
What is Vivitrol? Vivitrol blocks the effects of opioid medication, including pain relief or feelings of well-being that can lead to opioid abuse.
Can I buy Vivitrol online?
Call 1-800-VIVITROL (1-800-848-4876), 9am–8pm (EST) and visit VIVITROLhcp.com to access a variety of helpful resources. When ordering VIVITROL, you can work directly with a pharmacy (specialty or other) or you can work with a Vivitrol2getherSM dedicated case manager.
How much does Vivitrol cost at CVS?
Average 12 Month Prices for VivitrolPharmacyVivitrol Retail PriceVivitrol SingleCare PriceCVS Pharmacy$2897.74$1461.70Walmart$1669.81$1543.02Walgreens$2133.03$1503.95Kroger Pharmacy$1764.17$1507.171 more row
Is Vivitrol shot free?
Vivitrol patients, who require a monthly injection, are not drug-free, and the medication's price tag is many times that of methadone and buprenorphine.
Can my GP prescribe naltrexone?
Your doctor / GP may not have heard of The Sinclair Method – however, Naltrexone and Nalmefene are well-documented drugs that are available on the NHS and in private treatment. Your doctor can prescribe them to you as part of a treatment programme, to block the highs and pleasures you get from drinking alcohol.
How long do you have to be clean to get the VIVITROL shot?
You can't take Vivitrol until you've been clean from opioid drugs and medications for 7 to 10 days. Fighting cravings during the first week may be the most difficult part of recovery.
Does VIVITROL work instantly?
Official answer. Vivitrol (naltrexone) starts to work on the first day it is injected, and its effects last for a month. The first peak of the drug in your blood occurs at about 2 hours after injection.
Does Vivitrol cause weight gain?
Vivitrol (naltrexone), a medicine used for opioid or alcohol use disorder, has been reported as causing both weight gain and weight loss. In studie...
What happens if you drink alcohol while taking naltrexone?
Naltrexone blocks the feelings of intoxication (the “buzz”) from alcohol when you drink it. This allows people with alcohol use disorder to lessen...
Can I take Xanax while on Vivitrol?
Do not take Xanax (alprazolam) while on Vivitrol (naltrexone), unless it is prescribed by a healthcare professional who is aware of your treatment...
How fast does Vivitrol work?
Vivitrol (naltrexone) starts to work on the first day it is injected, and its effects last for a month. The first peak of the drug in your blood oc...
Will I have withdrawal symptoms when starting or stopping Vivitrol?
If you start treatment with Vivitrol while opioids are in your system, you may have severe opioid withdrawal. Keep in mind, the drug prevents opioi...
Is Vivitrol similar to methadone or Antabuse?
Vivitrol, methadone, and Antabuse are medications that may be prescribed to help with certain substance dependencies. With dependence, your body ne...
Does Vivitrol interact with Xanax, Adderall, or Wellbutrin?
No, Vivitrol isn’t known to interact with Xanax, Adderall, or Wellbutrin. Medications that can interact with Vivitrol are listed in the “What shoul...
Can Vivitrol cause weight gain or weight loss? Is it used for weight loss?
Neither weight gain nor weight loss was reported by people taking Vivitrol in studies. Vivitrol can cause decreased appetite in some people, which...
How does Vivitrol work? Is it a controlled substance?
Vivitrol is used in certain situations to treat or prevent dependence on alcohol or opioids. With dependence, your body needs a certain substance f...
Are there any reviews available from people who’ve taken Vivitrol?
The manufacturer of Vivitrol doesn’t provide any reviews of their medication for alcohol or opioid dependence. Keep in mind, Vivitrol is used in ce...
How It Works
This medication is used to treat alcohol abuse. It is used only in people who have been able to stop drinking for some time before starting treatment with naltrexone.
May Treat: Alcoholism · Relapse to opioid dependence
Drug Class: Alcohol Abstinence Therapy - Opioid Receptor Antagonist-Type
Availability: Prescription Required
Pregnancy: Consult a doctor before using
Lactation: Consult a doctor before using
May Treat: Alcoholism · Relapse to opioid dependence
Drug Class: Alcohol Abstinence Therapy - Opioid Receptor Antagonist-Type
Availability: Prescription Required
Pregnancy: Consult a doctor before using
Lactation: Consult a doctor before using
Alcohol: Limit intake while taking this medication
Driving: May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Use caution
Manufacturer: ALKERMES INC · CEPHALON, INC.-T
- Before use, important to read the Medication Guide
- Injected into muscle of buttock.
- Given by a nurse, doctor, or pharmacist.
- Before use, important to read the Medication Guide
- Injected into muscle of buttock.
- Given by a nurse, doctor, or pharmacist.
- Avoid drinking alcohol
- Do not use narcotics
- Call MD if new abdominal pain/yellowing eyes/skin
- Redness/pain/swelling may occur at injection site.
- May make you drowsy or dizzy. Drive with caution
Upsides
Downsides
Tips
Response and Effectiveness
- Vivitrol is a brand (trade) name for naltrexone injection that may be used to treat alcohol use disorder and opioid dependence. It helps people maintain sobriety by reducing or controlling cravings...
- Vivitrol reversibly binds to the mu opioid receptor which blocks the effects of opioids (also c…
- Vivitrol is a brand (trade) name for naltrexone injection that may be used to treat alcohol use disorder and opioid dependence. It helps people maintain sobriety by reducing or controlling cravings...
- Vivitrol reversibly binds to the mu opioid receptor which blocks the effects of opioids (also called narcotics). Examples of opioids include morphine, heroin, and codeine.
- How Vivitrol works in alcoholism is not completely understood; however, some experts believe it works by blocking the effects of naturally occurring opioids (such as endorphins).
- Do not confuse naltrexone (the active ingredient of Vivitrol) with naloxone (Narcan), which strips the opioid from the opioid receptor and is used for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose.
Interactions
- Vivitrol may be used to treat alcohol dependence in patients who are able to abstain from alcohol in an outpatient setting prior to the initiation of Vivitrol. Patients should not be actively drink...
- May also be used to prevent relapse in people who have detoxed off opioids.
- Vivitrol has also been shown to improve abstention rates, reduce the number of drinking day…
- Vivitrol may be used to treat alcohol dependence in patients who are able to abstain from alcohol in an outpatient setting prior to the initiation of Vivitrol. Patients should not be actively drink...
- May also be used to prevent relapse in people who have detoxed off opioids.
- Vivitrol has also been shown to improve abstention rates, reduce the number of drinking days, and reduce the risk of relapse. It also reduces alcohol and narcotic cravings.
- Vivitrol does not cause physical or psychological dependence and is not considered a drug of abuse. Tolerance to Vivitrol's effect does not appear to occur.
References
- If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include: 1. Nausea, a headache, depression, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, and sleepiness are the most common side effects reported. Generally, Vivitrol is well-tolerated in people who are genuinely opioid-free. 2. Vivitrol i…
Further Information
- Vivitrol should be used in addition to comprehensive social and psychotherapeutic measures to reduce opioid or alcohol addiction.
- Always carry identification that alerts medical personnel to the fact you are taking Vivitrol. A Vivitrol medication card is available from most treatment centers for this purpose.
- If you try and self-administer opioids while taking Vivitrol, you will not perceive any effect.
- Vivitrol should be used in addition to comprehensive social and psychotherapeutic measures to reduce opioid or alcohol addiction.
- Always carry identification that alerts medical personnel to the fact you are taking Vivitrol. A Vivitrol medication card is available from most treatment centers for this purpose.
- If you try and self-administer opioids while taking Vivitrol, you will not perceive any effect.
- Stop Vivitrol and see your doctor immediately if you develop abdominal pain lasting more than a few days, white bowel movements, dark urine, or yellowing of your eyes.
Side effects
- Peak plasma levels of naltrexone, the active component of Vivitrol, reach a transient initial peak approximately two hours after injection, followed by a second peak that occurs two to three days l...
- Compared to oral naltrexone 50mg given daily, total naltrexone exposure is three to four-fold higher after a single dose of Vivitrol 380mg IM.
Prevention
- Medicines that interact with Vivitrol may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works for, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with Vivitrol. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be mana…
Mechanism of action
- Vivitrol (naltrexone injection) [Package Insert]. 03/2021. Alkermes, Inc. https://www.drugs.com/pro/vivitrol.html
Contraindications
- Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Vivitrol only for the indication prescribed. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Copyright 1996-2022 Drugs.com. Revision date: May 5, 2022. Medical Disclaimer
Treatment
- Side effects of naltrexone include: In some cases, naltrexone injections can also cause reactions at the injection site, eosinophilic pneumonia, and liver toxicity. However, it can be very beneficial for many people working to manage their addiction to alcohol or opioids because it helps to reduce cravings after the body has detoxed. Unlike opioid agonist medications used to treat opi…