Naltrexone vs Vivitrol’s efficacy strictly depends upon doctor recommendations since these are prescribed under unique circumstances requiring complete medical guidance. Mainly because what works best for one person may not work as well for another. The only way to assess that is to get guidance from a professional who can personalize a medication prescription that best suits your addiction needs. The following blueprint provides a clearer perspective of which prescription suits you while guiding you to the physician who can help you get the best treatment.
What is Naltrexone?
Naltrexone is an orally ingested form of medication that aids recovery from alcohol, opioid, or even nicotine addiction. However, it is commonly used predominantly for opioid and alcohol addiction recovery cases. Their over-the-counter forms are known under the names Depade or ReVia in tablet or pill form. Oral Naltrexone, approved by the Food and Drug Administration, is prescriptionally available in most medication-assisted treatment programs.
How Do Naltrexone Tablets Work?
Learn how naltrexone works in addiction treatment.
For Alcohol Addiction
Orally ingesting Naltrexone blocks or suppresses the regions of the alcohol-dependent brain that trigger euphoria or pleasure when alcohol is consumed. Since drinking alcohol triggers these neuronic pleasures, Naltrexone removes this behavioral reward cue of the addicted mentality. Doing so helps remove this addictive impulse en route to restoring normal neuronic balances. Moreover, naltrexone minimizes the effects
For Opioid Addiction
Like alcohol, oral naltrexone blocks opioid receptors, preventing abnormal dopamine release that causes neurons to depend on opioids for dopamine production. As a result, these receptor-binding rehab medications naturally suppress opioid cravings, forcing the body to develop these natural chemicals. Removing these cravings through medication assistance makes the rest of rehab a prime atmosphere to thrive at every phase of recovery.
What is Vivitrol?
Vivitrol is a liquid form of Naltrexone that is medically administered directly into the patient’s veins through injection. Taking part in this form of administration depends on your preference, treatment assessment, and other factors more suitable to your needs. Like its tablet counterpart, it’s vital to ensure all opioids have been cleansed from your body for safety and efficacy purposes.
How Does Vivitrol Work?
Like Naltrexone tablets, Vivitrol attaches itself to opioid receptors and prevents other neurons from entering. In essence, it guards the opioid receptors from being infiltrated. It is also a fast-acting long-lasting form of addiction medication. This also means, if an opioid is consumed, it prevents you from feeling the high effects. However, be advised that this elevated tolerance can leave you highly susceptible to overdose in the case of relapse.
What are the Key Differences Between Naltrexone and Vivitrol?
Many misconstrue Naltrexone and Vivitrol as the same when they are very diverse types of the same drug but are utilized in different ways. Correlatively, here are the main differences between Naltrexone and Vivitrol.
Naltrexone pills require a daily dose in contrast to Vivitrol being a once-per-month administration. This requires individuals on Naltrexone to adhere to a strict daily schedule of taking their rehab medications. Vivitrol, though requiring a medical appointment, is less of a hassle when it comes to dosage frequency. As long as you have a monthly appointment, you don’t have to worry about another dose for 30 days.
As alluded to earlier, the primary difference between Naltrexone vs Vivitrol is their administration. While Naltrexone is ingested through oral tablets, Vivitrol is an injection-based treatment. Many who do not prefer needles will opt for daily Naltrexone tablets instead of the less frequent injection form. Contrarily, others may also prefer the injected Vivitrol for a variety of potency and convenience purposes.
Naltrexone tablets are considered the low-cost version of Vivitrol, being accessible as an over-the-counter option with prescription approval. Vivitrol injections, on the other hand, can get pricey and vary per location. You may qualify for insurance approval for the pricier injections if preferable. However, if you’re doing rehab on a strict budget, the tablets may be more financially optimal if approved by your physician.
The main reason for the dosage frequency discrepancy between Naltrexone vs Vivitrol comes down to each dose’s potency. Naltrexone is commonly no more than 50mg per tablet or pill while injections of Vivitrol are commonly 380 mg per dose. Some may not feel comfortable with the high dosage of the longer-lasting Vivitrol and opt for daily Naltrexone tablets. Others, on the other hand, may opt for long-term use to not have to hassle with daily pills. This is just one of the examples of how some options come down to preference and needs.
How long Naltrexone vs Vivitrol injections last is directly related to their potency and ingestion frequency. That is to say, since Vivitrol administration is only necessary once per month due to higher dosage, it lasts longer. Naltrexone tablets last from pill to pill or daily basis. Individuals looking for longer-lasting solutions without needing to be self-accountable to daily pills may not prefer the tablets.
How Do I Know Which Medication Is Right for Me?
The truth is both drugs achieve maximum efficacy by aiding your body and mind healing process while minimizing withdrawal symptoms. Once this short-term introductory medication aid runs its course, it sets the tone for a more attainable route to sobriety. However, the only way to know the right medication for you is to seek a medical diagnosis and assessment. Since both require a medical prescription, do not seek out either without a doctor’s approval. Please note that attempting to do so without proper medical guidance will worsen withdrawal symptoms and could have fatal consequences. Reach out today to find out which medication-assisted treatment is best for you.
At What Stage of Recovery Is Naltrexone or Vivitrol Medication Necessary?
Both Naltrexone and Vivitrol are common post-detoxification medications that help you during the opening stages of addiction rehab. However, it is important to note the term “post-detox” as your body must have officially been cleansed of all opioids or alcohol at least 7 days before medication use. Since the drugs block opioid receptors, failure to fully cleanse before administration can send the body into immediate and deep withdrawal. Always consult a physician for an approved medical prescription before use.
What are the Side Effects of Naltrexone Pills?
Though the body usually adapts well to Naltrexone, there are a few minor side effects one may experience early on. These side effects consist of but are not limited to the following bodily responses.
Disorientation such as fuzzy vision, dizziness, or distorted visuals can occur from time to time when taking Naltrexone. These are often minor and are no cause for concern as they are a common bodily reaction to this type of rehab medication. Rest assured, our treatment experts are here to help you through every treatment phase, including uncomfortable side effects and withdrawals.
As your body adjusts to taking Naltrexone, you may experience some form of interrupted sleep. This includes possible trouble sleeping, staying asleep, or waking up a couple of times throughout the night. However, unlike actual heavy withdrawal symptoms, these sleep disturbances are usually very minor and short-lived. If these symptoms become unbearable, there are some approved sleep aids that you can take in conjunction with Naltrexone.
One of the more uncomfortable side effects included nausea. Like the others on this list, Naltrexone-induced nausea is rarely major, often coming in the form of mild nausea that gets better over time with repetitive use.
What are the Side Effects of Vivitrol?
Most of Vivitrol’s symptoms are similar to Naltrexone tablets, but there are some minor distinctions due to the administration type. Bearing that in mind, here are the most common symptoms associated with Vivitrol injections.
As with any injection, it is common to have muscle or body soreness at or around the site of administration. This may persist for a few days before getting better. The overwhelming majority report such cases of body aches to be minor, not hindering most from performing their daily functions.
Some Vivitrol injection side effects can be likened to a vaccination shot, inducing temporary cold or flu-like symptoms. These flu-like symptoms can range from head congestion to sore throat or nausea and can be accompanied by sneezing or coughing. You can expect such symptoms to subside once your body adapts within the first couple of days.
In the most severe cases, Vivitrol can cause allergic reactions at or around the injection site or throughout the body. In these very rare instances, seek immediate medical attention before these allergic reactions get more serious. This usually is indicative of extreme redness or swelling around the injection site or the face and limbs. Persistent itchiness or spots may appear before more serious reactions begin to onset.
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Let Crestview Recovery Be Your Detox and Recovery Guide
The key takeaway of all the aforementioned information is the importance of medical guidance before making medication or treatment decisions. Seeking out these medications on your own will only make things worse, likely ending in fatal conclusions. Crestview Recovery is your greatest mentor, counselor, and therapist throughout your entire process. We’ll put your anxieties about your struggles and rehab the moment you reach out to us.
