Generic name: naltrexone (oral) [ nal-TREX-own ]
Drug classes: Antidotes, Drugs used in alcohol dependence
The Revia brand name has been discontinued in the U.S. If generic versions of this product have been approved by the FDA, there may be generic equivalents available.
What is ReVia?
ReVia blocks the effects of opioid medication, including pain relief or feelings of well-being that can lead to opioid abuse.
ReVia is used to prevent relapse in adults who became dependent on opioid medicine and then stopped using it. This medicine can help keep you from feeling a "need" to use the opioid.
ReVia is also used to treat alcoholism by reducing your urge to drink alcohol. This may help you drink less or stop drinking completely. This medicine will not cause you to "sober up" and will not decrease the effects of alcohol you recently consumed.
ReVia is not a permanent cure for drug addiction or alcoholism.
ReVia may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
ReVia side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Using opioid medicine while you are taking ReVia could stimulate opioid withdrawal symptoms. Common withdrawal symptoms are craving for opioids, sweating, fever, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, watery eyes, runny or stuffy nose, tingling, goose bumps, body aches, shaking, muscle twitching, trouble sleeping, and feeling anxious, depressed, fearful, restless or uneasy.
ReVia may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:
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severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
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confusion, mood changes, crying, hallucinations; or
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depression, thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
High doses of naltrexone oral may harm your liver. Stop taking ReVia and call your doctor at once if you have right-sided upper stomach pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Common side effects of ReVia may include:
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nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
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headache, dizziness, drowsiness;
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feeling anxious or nervous;
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sleep problems (insomnia); or
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muscle or joint pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
You should not be treated with ReVia if you have liver failure or active hepatitis, if you are currently addicted to opioids or having opioid withdrawal symptoms, or if you have used any opioid pain medicine, methadone, or LAAM in the past 7 to 10 days.
High doses of naltrexone oral may harm your liver. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have right-sided upper stomach pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Before taking this medicine
You should not receive ReVia if you are allergic to it, or if:
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you are currently addicted to opioids;
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you are having withdrawal symptoms from opioid addiction;
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you have used any opioid pain medicine within the past 7 to 10 days (including fentanyl, Vicodin, OxyContin, and many others);
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you have used methadone or LAAM in the past 7 to 10 days; or
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you have liver failure or active hepatitis.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
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liver disease; or
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kidney disease.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
It is not known whether ReVia will harm an unborn baby. However, if you use opioid medicine while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on opioids may need medical treatment for several weeks.
How should I take ReVia?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Your doctor may recommend you have a family member or other caregiver make sure you take ReVia on schedule, to make sure you are using the medicine correctly as part of your treatment.
Take the ReVia tablet with a full glass of water.
Take with food if ReVia upsets your stomach.
In case of emergency, wear or carry medical identification to let others know you are using ReVia.
ReVia is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include additional forms of counseling and/or monitoring. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
After taking ReVia, your body will be more sensitive to opioids. If you use an opioid medicine in the future, you will need to use less than before this medicine treatment. Using the same amount you used before could lead to overdose or death.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking ReVia?
Do not use opioid medication, heroin, or other street drugs while you are taking ReVia. Never try to overcome the effects of naltrexone by taking large doses of opioids. Doing so could result in dangerous effects, including coma.
Ask your doctor before using any medicine to treat a cold, cough, diarrhea, or pain. These medicines may contain opioids and may not work as well while you are taking ReVia.
ReVia may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
What other drugs will affect ReVia?
Other drugs may affect ReVia, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Popular FAQ
Low dose naltrexone means taking a dose of naltrexone that is up to one-tenth, or 10%, of the dose that is usually taken for opioid addiction. A low dose of naltrexone is approximately 4.5mg of naltrexone a day compared with the usual dosage of naltrexone for opioid addiction which is 50mg to 100mg a day. Continue reading
Naltrexone blocks the feelings of intoxication (the “buzz”) from alcohol when you drink it. This allows people with alcohol use disorder to lessen their drinking behaviors enough to stay in treatment, avoid relapses, and take their medication. Over time, cravings for alcohol will decrease. However, naltrexone will not prevent you from becoming impaired while drinking alcohol. Do not use naltrexone so that you can drive or perform other activities under the influence of alcohol. Continue reading
Do NOT take opiates, including heroin or other prescription or illegal opiates while using naltrexone. Taking opiates with naltrexone increases your risk for an overdose, coma and death. Do not use naltrexone if you are dependent on opioids or if you are experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms. Naltrexone should not be used before you complete a medically-supervised opioid withdrawal lasting at least 7 to 14 days. Continue reading
The manufacturer does not specify if you should take naltrexone tablets in the morning or at night. Take naltrexone exactly as your doctor orders it. Many patients take their medication in the morning to help affirm their continued treatment success for either opioid use disorder or alcohol use disorder. Taking naltrexone tablets after a meal (for example: breakfast) may help to lessen any stomach side effects such as nausea or pain. Continue reading
Weight gain is not a common side effect with oral naltrexone treatment. When used in combination with bupropion, naltrexone is approved to help promote weight loss. Naltrexone is known to frequently cause stomach side effects like nausea and vomiting, stomach pain or cramping, and loss of appetite which could contribute to weight loss. Weight gain and increased appetite have been reported as a possible side effect, but is not common. Continue reading
Acamprosate and naltrexone are two different medications that are used in the treatment of alcohol use disorder. They work in different ways to help people who are dependent on alcohol to abstain from drinking it. Naltrexone is also used for the treatment of opioid use disorder.
Acamprosate was thought to be slightly more effective at helping people with alcohol use disorder remain off alcohol, while naltrexone was thought to be slightly more effective at helping reduce heavy drinking and cravings, according to the results of a meta-analysis which used data from 64 trials.
Results from two small studies, however, indicate that naltrexone is more effective than acamprosate in a number of areas. Continue reading
When taken as directed, naltrexone may reduce your cravings for alcohol or opioids. You’ll feel less of a need to take drugs or drink. Continue reading
Oral naltrexone is well absorbed and will usually begin working within one hour after a dose. Intramuscular naltrexone is an extended-release formulation and has two peaks, first at 2 hours then again 2 to 3 days later, although its therapeutic effect lasts for one month Continue reading
Naltrexone is a pure opiate receptor antagonist and works by primarily binding at the mu opioid receptors. By binding to these receptors, it blocks the euphoric (pleasurable or "high") effects linked with alcohol use or opioids. Continue reading
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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