Your healthcare provider can also offer guidance on additional support services that may be beneficial in your specific situation. Remember, these lifestyle changes should be implemented gradually. Work with your healthcare provider to create a personalized plan that supports your recovery journey. VIVITROL must ONLY be administered as a deep intramuscular gluteal injection. For more information, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also see “Risk of opioid overdose” in the “Precautions” section of this article.

Drug Recalls: What Do They Mean?

To be effective, VIVITROL must be used with other alcohol or drug recovery programs such as counseling. It is not known if VIVITROL is safe and effective in children. Since Vivitrol is only injected once monthly, switching from an oral drug may help manage your opioid or alcohol dependence better. This is because you don’t have to worry about remembering to take your dose every day or even multiple times per day. It is possible that you may be more sensitive to the effects of prescription or illicit opioids as Vivitrol wears off or after it is stopped.

Vivitrol strength

For a more comprehensive guide on managing side effects, please visit our Managing Side Effects of Injectable Naltrexone (Vivitrol) page. Sometimes this leads to suicide, or suicidal thoughts, and suicidal behavior. Tell your family members and people closest to you that you are taking VIVITROL. Remember, each injection is a step towards your recovery goals.

VIVITROL must be prepared and administered by a healthcare provider. Researchers have given a small number of people high doses of Vivitrol, and this didn’t lead to severe problems. If you have any questions about the dosage and administration of Vivitrol, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you.

When they’re ready for recovery

Resuming the doses of opioids you were using before starting Vivitrol can be very dangerous and can potentially lead to death. You can also have a bad reaction where you stop breathing if you take opioids to try to overcome the effects of this medicine. Should you feel the need to use opioids while on or after stopping Vivitrol, contact your healthcare provider. Pneumonia is a condition that can make it hard to breathe. While this is often caused by an infection, in people taking Vivitrol it can be caused by an allergic reaction.

Managing Side Effects

Vivitrol contains an extended-release form of naltrexone. Extended release means the drug is released over a period of time after you take it, instead of all at once. Vivitrol should be part of a complete treatment program that also includes support groups, counseling, and education. There are no known interactions between Vivitrol and alcohol.

Administration

The reaction may be severe enough that you will need to go to the hospital. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. It’s important to note that your risk of opioid overdose may increase if you take opioids while you’re receiving Vivitrol treatment. You and your doctor should discuss this risk, and your doctor may recommend that you keep naloxone nasal spray (Narcan, Evzio) on hand. In most states, you can get naloxone at a pharmacy without a prescription, or your doctor can prescribe it for you. Vivitrol comes as a powder that’s mixed into a solution.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage. Sometimes, buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone are taken more than once per day. If you switch to Vivitrol, you’ll only need an injection once per month. Naltrexone tablets are not extended-release, which means that you need to take the drug every day for it to be effective. Vivitrol injections are extended-release, meaning the drug is released over a period of time instead of all at once. If you and your doctor determine that Vivitrol is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

• Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
• Vivitrol can be used for as long as you feel it is helping.
• If you miss an appointment to receive a dose of Vivitrol, you should schedule an appointment as soon as you remember.
• There are no known interactions between Vivitrol and alcohol.
• If you have additional questions about Vivitrol dosage, talk with your doctor before starting treatment.
• Vivitrol should not be used while you are using certain other medicines.

Vivitrol may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider. For a more detailed guide on the administration procedure, please visit our Administration Procedure for Injectable Naltrexone (Vivitrol) page. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

Vivitrol (naltrexone extended release) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for alcohol dependence and opioid dependence in adults. Vivitrol comes as an intramuscular injection that’s given by a healthcare professional every 4 weeks. The recommended dosage of Vivitrol for alcohol dependence is 380 mg given as an intramuscular injection once every 4 weeks. Your doctor or healthcare professional will inject the dose of Vivitrol into the muscle of your buttock. The dosage of Vivitrol for opioid dependence is 380 mg given as an intramuscular injection once every 4 weeks.

Understanding how Vivitrol interacts with various substances is crucial for your safety and the effectiveness of your treatment. Consistency is key to the success of Vivitrol treatment. Understanding why adherence is crucial can help motivate you to stay committed to your treatment plan. Having realistic expectations about Vivitrol treatment is crucial for long-term success and satisfaction with the treatment process.

The best way to switch may depend on the medication you were taking before starting Vivitrol. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when using Vivitrol. Keep all appointments you have to get your blood checked.

• Understanding what happens during a Vivitrol injection can help alleviate anxiety and ensure a smooth experience.
• Vivitrol does not reduce or eliminate the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
• VIVITROL must ONLY be administered as a deep intramuscular gluteal injection.
• Adding plans allows you to compare formulary status to other drugs in the same class.
• The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended.

Your doctor or healthcare professional will inject the medication into the muscle of your buttock. People who are currently using prescription and/or illicit opioids, including buprenorphine, should not use Vivitrol. If you use Vivitrol while taking opioids, it could lead to withdrawal symptoms, which may require you to go to the hospital. Opioid use can cause physical dependence, which means your body relies on the medicine.

Who should not use Vivitrol?

If you miss an appointment to receive a dose of Vivitrol, Vivitrol Injection Guide you should schedule an appointment as soon as you remember. It’s recommended that you receive your next dose of Vivitrol as soon as possible after a missed dose. If you’re interested in switching from your oral drug to Vivitrol, talk with your doctor about how your dosage may change. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication.