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Naltrexone User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

Brand names: Vivitrol

Naltrexone has an average rating of 8.1 out of 10 from a total of 581 reviews on Drugs.com. 76% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 15% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Naltrexone

  • SDO35...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 31, 2017

For Alcohol Use Disorder "This is seriously amazing, I will always remember the day I took it. I had a moment of realization that the craving had gone, the constant battle in my head had stopped. I was a heavy habitual binge drinker. The only thing I would say is you have to want to quit drinking or there is no point. Take it daily. I took it thinking I could still have a drink if I wanted one if the craving got too much, but in all honesty, I just don't want to drink. I would have to force myself, I think?! 5 weeks in and I haven't drunk, no stress or anxiety, I've been around alcohol, parties, bars and I just don't want it. It's brilliant! Early side effects of dizziness and nausea, odd dreams but that passes in 2 weeks! Do it!"

10 / 10
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  • Jillzie
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 28, 2020

For Fibromyalgia "I cannot believe how this med, naltrexone, has helped my fibro. I've tried many meds and always have side effects. The only side effect I have with this is a bit of sleepiness, but I take it at night. I'm still on a starting dose of 1.5, but AMAZING!!!!"

10 / 10
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50 Report
  • Erik...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • September 24, 2016

Vivitrol (naltrexone) for Opioid Use Disorder "While the rehab changes your perception no matter how you go into it, the Vivitrol changes your brain chemistry altogether. It's the combination of being on the outside and seeing where you've made your mistakes, knowing that you have a shield guarding you at every moment. Life becomes more normal in that time. It's like a rehab that follows you. Brilliant. When I got off of the shot, I had a couple of moments of frustration, but that was easily solved with my newfound knowledge. Mostly the knowledge of myself. I believe this could save many lives. If you don't want it but take it for someone else, at least you have a month to figure out why."

10 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • Anonymous
  • April 12, 2008

Vivitrol (naltrexone) for Opioid Use Disorder "As a chronic relapsing opiate addict, Vivitrol has been an excellent medication to aid my recovery. I have not noticed many side effects, if any. Basically, it eliminates my cravings for opiates and alcohol and provides good mental assurance knowing that if I do use opiates, I will get no effect from them."

9 / 10
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  • DustyB
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 15, 2013

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I read about the Sinclair Method a few years ago, but it took me several doctors to finally find one to prescribe Naltrexone. It is only FDA approved for use with abstinence, which is why most physicians aren't likely to prescribe it per the Sinclair Method. I finally found a psychiatrist who agreed to try it with me. I split the tablets for the first two days to get used to it. I noticed its effects immediately. I take one tablet one hour before I feel like drinking something, usually in the late afternoon. I don't really feel any different after I take it, except that I have a much lower 'craving' and I drink about 30%-80% less now. Sometimes makes me a little queasy or tired, but I haven't had a blackout or a hangover since. I love it!"

9 / 10
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Are you taking this medicine?

  • Lefty...
  • January 23, 2020

For Alcohol Use Disorder "Two problems: First, 3-5 drinks (doubles) per night regardless of whether I can function normally the next day is not good in any way. Second, nobody else is drinking like me. Every aspect of my life was impacted by drinking, and even though I love to drink, I knew I had to do something and fast. Ten years ago, I was given opioids like tic-tacs. What's better than alcohol? Opioids! You guessed it, I was hooked for two years. I was prescribed Suboxone, another miracle drug (similar to naltrexone), which also worked on drinking. Naltrexone is a 10! If you want it to work, it will work, but if you play games with it like I did, taking it some days, some days not, testing dosages, etc., you'll get mixed results. Take it an hour before you drink, or whenever you feel it coming on. If you do it right, you can stop drinking entirely, or you can cut your drinking down to normal, socially acceptable levels, and still have a good time. In a nutshell, naltrexone is a fantastic drug, truly amazing!"

10 / 10
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  • Madda
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 23, 2015

For Alcohol Use Disorder "Naltrexone worked for me! I can't believe the dramatic results I have experienced so far. I was with family/friends all weekend, the first two days I was on the meds, I had 2 beers and then NO desire for any more. I was in great spirits and just didn't feel the need to continue drinking. I would recommend this to anyone struggling with addiction. I finally have hope for my future! My husband couldn't believe it. It's like there is a whole new, much happier me!"

9 / 10
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92 Report

More FAQ

  • Cjh
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • April 2, 2024

Vivitrol (naltrexone) for Alcohol Use Disorder "I’m 52 and a severe alcoholic/addict. Drank at least 24 beers or close to a liter of vodka a day. My physical and mental health were really bad. After seven days inpatient, I started receiving Vivitrol by injection every four weeks. I’ve been sober for 16 months. My cravings are limited to seconds. This drug is saving my life!"

10 / 10
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  • Don
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 13, 2024

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I’ve been a serious alcoholic for over 12 years. A 'good' day is half a bottle of vodka. Most days are not good. 2 years ago I saw the doc and got a 50mg script. I made up one reason or another why I shouldn’t start taking it yet. Spent the next 2 years continuing to destroy myself. 2 days ago after waking up sick and ashamed again, I decided, what the hell, and took one. After about an hour, I was grumpy and decided it wasn’t doing anything so I went to the market and got some beer. Cracked one open and took a drink feeling depressed. A friend called and we talked for 2 hours. Got off the phone, looked at the can and realized I’d forgotten about the beer while I was talking! I was shocked. Took another drink and it tasted awful. I didn’t want it. What a strange sensation! Went to bed sober for the first time in years. Evening of day 2 and I have no desire to drink. I can’t explain it. Poof! Gone. I just have zero interest in it. Only 2 days so far but wow! Just wow."

10 / 10
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  • KKirk...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 27, 2016

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I've battled binge drinking most of my adult life. I'm healthy and active and a runner.... When my nightly 2 glasses of wine is a bottle... and don't get me started if it is in a social situation. Sick of hangovers, knowing this is no longer cute at my age, and having teenagers, made me commit to change. I should add I do parties and events for a career so champagne lunches are standard. I got naltrexone 2 days ago. I did not drink at all the first day I took it (was still feeling guilty from a few days before when I over drank). Today I had a lunch meeting and wine was unavoidable. I said I'd just have 1 glass. 1hr and 30 min later and I had not finished it (never happens). Tasted fine.. felt fine.. but no craving for more when others did."

8 / 10
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  • Beanie
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • August 15, 2018

For Fibromyalgia "Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) has reduced both my pain and fatigue. It’s made a huge difference to me. I was at the point of giving up work, but on LDN I’m able to keep working. Initially, I had a few nights of disturbed sleep, but now no side effects except the good ones!"

9 / 10
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66 Report
  • baba
  • April 29, 2008

Revia (naltrexone) for Alcohol Use Disorder "Totally took the craving for alcohol away. Kept sober for two years - started playing with it after that and stopped taking it - only to start drinking again. Good to take when you are getting some support as well."

8 / 10
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  • Phnx
  • April 6, 2014

Vivitrol (naltrexone) for Opioid Use Disorder "Vivitrol saved my life and career. I used to take 15 10/325 Norcos a day for one year. The hardest part is before you get the shot, being abstinent from opiates for 7 days, but if you have an informed doctor, they give you different medications to make your withdrawal more tolerable. It was doable, I was terrified, but I promise it's possible. Once I had the shot, I felt like myself again with no cravings. The only side effect I had was a tiny bit of soreness at the injection site. Other than that, I felt NO SIDE EFFECTS at all. That was my experience. My advice if you proceed with this is to make sure you find a doctor who knows what they are doing, it makes a difference. Go to an addiction specialist if possible."

10 / 10
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  • naltr...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 31, 2016

For Alcohol Use Disorder "As of last Monday, I was still drinking 2 bottles of wine every night. Come Tuesday, and two bottles of wine have sat chilling in the fridge and I have zero interest in consuming them. I had been taking naltrexone as instructed 1 hour (or more sometimes just to be safe) before drinking for about a month and a half. I noticed an immediate difference in how alcohol affected me the very first day I took naltrexone, but the difference was hard to pinpoint. As time wore on though, it felt more and more like I was forcing myself to drink to battle depression, but was very aware it wasn't doing anything to help. I just don't want it anymore. Now I don't see myself drinking in the future. This drug is a miracle and I couldn't be happier."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • November 13, 2008

Vivitrol (naltrexone) for Alcohol Use Disorder "I am an alcoholic in recovery and have been sober for over 10 years. I used this drug when it was fairly new and I was in rehab. Seemed to work along with all the other tools given to me at that time. No side effects that I can recall."

9 / 10
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  • Sandy...
  • October 8, 2019

Vivitrol (naltrexone) for Alcohol Use Disorder "1st shot of Vivitrol on 9.9.19 & I immediately tried to test it but didn’t go hardcore. I did feel motivated to clean and care about responsibilities more than usual. Within a few days, I was drinking heavy again & it was BAD. I suggest taking Antabuse before you even leave the office & keep taking it for at least a week so drinking is not an option. On 9.23.19, I met with my therapist and our talk helped, but I still wanted to drink. Today, 10.07.19, I had my second shot. I was determined to not drink for a week to see the results and somehow ended up at an AA meeting on a whim. There I met a woman that talked to me for 3 hrs after the meeting where she called me out on my BS in a way only another alcoholic can. My recommendation: Vivitrol shot, Antabuse at first, a therapist you trust and respect (good luck, it’s a challenge), & AA meetings. Vivitrol is not a miracle. It is one ingredient in a recipe. Alone, it’s like eating plain flour and expecting it to taste like cookies and cake."

7 / 10
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  • Leets
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 8, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "Have had fibromyalgia for 22 years. Tried all sorts of the recommended meds. Two months ago started 4.5 mg low dose naltrexone. Fall asleep easily but horrible and disturbing dreams and subsequent pain from disturbed sleep. Sometimes I'd sleep 10 to 12 hrs and just slightly refreshed. Have a hard time getting going after waking for up to two hours. Just stopped taking it because of the side effects. Having a headache while coming off of it."

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  • mark
  • July 29, 2017

For Alcohol Use Disorder "Perhaps most here are taking Naltrexone every day and then trying to not drink alcohol? I have not tried that. I take Naltrexone only on days I have a strong craving and then take it 1 hour before I drink the alcohol. (See Sinclair Method, Amazon’s The Cure for Alcoholism - 80% success, no need for detox.) After 2 months (drinking only on 18 days) my irrational craving for alcohol has been virtually extinguished. If I ever drink again, I will take the Naltrexone an hour before. No counseling, no AA meetings, nothing like that. All I needed to stop drinking (1 ½ to 2 bottles of wine a night for the last decade) was willpower to take the Naltrexone an hour before drinking - which was easy for me. Good luck!"

10 / 10
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  • TheHu...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • August 18, 2016

Vivitrol (naltrexone) for Opioid Use Disorder "There are no two ways about it, Vivitrol saved my life. In combination with rehabilitation in the outpatient setting (where I was referred to a local doctor who provides the shots, specializing in pain management & dependence issues), therapy, and receiving Vivitrol once monthly, my life has completely changed for the better. I am happier, less tense, less anxious, among other benefits. I was a hardcore addict, and would likely not be around still if it weren't for Vivitrol blocking the opiate receptors (no 'high' at all, no matter how much you use) and it reducing cravings as well. I very highly recommend Vivitrol to those struggling with addiction. You'll see how much better your quality of life will be, and this shot can help you get there."

10 / 10
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  • Ive...
  • January 18, 2017

Vivitrol (naltrexone) for Opioid Use Disorder "I'm getting my 18th shot this month. That means I have successfully completed the Vivitrol program at a local adult facility. This shot did something, not sure what but I don't have urges or wants to use drugs. I was an IV user and ruined my life almost, but now I'm successful, and nobody would ever guess how bad I used to be. And I don't ever have to be a junkie again. Thank God. No side effects, so I hope I can keep it up after this month, and I hope my brain is okay with me stopping the shot."

10 / 10
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  • Anony...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 13, 2016

For Alcohol Use Disorder "Are you desperate? Are you feeling defeated? I'm on day three after fighting alcoholism every day for the better part of the year. In and out of AA, trying different medications... This drug fills that anxious hungry void you have from abstaining from alcohol. It makes you not want, it makes your mind feel heavy but not high, you relax and don't think about drinking. Addiction is a problem of chemistry, when you quit, you are fighting the chemical makeup of your own brain. Curing alcoholism should not be uncomfortable, and this drug should be prescribed more by physicians. I bought a six-pack last night, and lost interest when I started the second beer. Today, I have no desire to drink, I could take it or leave it. Great so far!"

10 / 10
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  • chuck_a
  • February 16, 2017

For Alcohol Use Disorder "Took the first pill yesterday and didn't have a beer until 4 hours later. Had one, then two, then three... then four. Uh-oh, was one of the few that it wouldn't work for? Still, I was pushing a twelve-pack a day, so four seemed like a pretty big accomplishment. But today is another story. I had my first beer at 5 PM, exactly 1 hour after taking the pill. I just dumped the second half of that beer in the sink. No obsessions. Not about drinking or eating or my ex-boyfriend (whom I recently had a difficult break with). It really is like a switch was turned off (or on, depending on how you look at it). One side effect is sense of taste is a bit off... but I don't feel like eating, so no biggie. Idk.. was it this easy all along?! Get to your doc asap."

10 / 10
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74 Report
  • sheil...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 1, 2018

For Fibromyalgia "I'm normal again! I feel amazing! This medicine is truly a dream come true. I feel so thankful to be offered this thanks to my pain clinic I went to because the normal doctors would not prescribe it. It's safe, it's changed my life! I'm free of pain!"

10 / 10
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  • BPano
  • November 18, 2020

For Fibromyalgia "I've had fibromyalgia for about 7 years. I've tried everything and had all but given up. I happened to see info online about LDN (low-dose naltrexone). I asked my doctor about it, and she wrote a script but said it probably wouldn't do anything. But I insisted... desperate to try anything. However, it was for 1/2 of a 50mg tablet once per day. I felt like I had done a gram of cocaine. 2-3 hrs of sleep per night, major anxiety, heart racing, etc. Couldn't focus, hands shook, etc. I stuck with it for one week when I realized my pain had dropped significantly for the first time in about seven years. Thrilled at the results, I had to figure out how to continue the medication but get rid of the side effects and get some sleep. I called the doc to ask what I could do, as the online info said LDN should be 1.5 mg. She said it only came in 50 mg and I'd have to get the suggested low dose from a 'compounding' pharmacy. I have no idea how to do that. Can anyone help?"

8 / 10
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  • tiffa...
  • April 9, 2012

Vivitrol (naltrexone) for Opioid Use Disorder "I am a very young addict, and when I was in rehab, I wasn't even aware of the shot. The shot is a wonderful thing. I have had no cravings whatsoever, and I am very hopeful for the future. The shot is not a make-everything-better thing, however, one must continue with meetings and work hard every day at their recovery. Good luck. Highly recommended."

10 / 10
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106 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.