Naltrexone: The Benefits of Daily Use

Oar Health Editorial Team

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Apr 24, 2024

Daily use of naltrexone is recommended for the treatment of alcohol use disorder by leading medical experts.

And Oar members who take their medication always or often are more than twice as likely to meet their goals than members who take their medications sometimes, rarely or never.

Taking naltrexone every day has four main benefits:

Taking naltrexone every day means that you will maintain an active, effective dose in your body. Naltrexone is absorbed relatively quickly by the body, so taking your medication every day is important to getting the benefits of fewer cravings for alcohol and less reward if you do drink.

Taking naltrexone every day reduces the likelihood and severity of side effects. Side effects are most common when your body is adjusting to naltrexone. So, starting and stopping naltrexone risks recurring side effects. Although side effects like nausea, headache and dizziness can be managed safely, it’s preferable to avoid them entirely.

Taking naltrexone every day makes it easier to stick to your medication routine. It’s easier to build a habit if you do it every day rather than only some days. Putting your medication next to your toothbrush or coffee maker can help you take your medication at the same time every day, ensuring that you get the medication’s full benefits. You can find additional tips here.

Taking naltrexone every day is the best studied approach. The majority of the large, randomized controlled trials that have demonstrated naltrexone’s effectiveness in helping people drink less or quit were conducted with patients taking the medication every day.

As an alternative to taking naltrexone every day, some people take their medication in a targeted fashion, sometimes following The Sinclair Method. You can learn more about The Sinclair Method here.

About The Author

Oar is a telemedicine platform that makes science-backed, medication-assisted addiction treatment approachable and accessible for millions of consumers who feel excluded by the current treatment landscape and who may have a wide range of goals, from moderation to abstinence.

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Naltrexone is a prescription medication used to treat alcohol dependence. It is available only if prescribed by a healthcare provider. You should not take naltrexone if you use opioids, including prescription drugs or street drugs that contain opioids, as naltrexone can cause sudden opioid withdrawal. Common side effects of naltrexone include nausea, sleepiness, headache, dizziness, vomiting, decreased appetite, painful joints, muscle cramps, and trouble sleeping. These are not all of the side effects of naltrexone. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.
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