Revia Side Effects

Generic name: naltrexone

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 5, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Revia Side Effects associated with naltrexone. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Revia.

Applies to naltrexone: intramuscular powder for suspension extended release.

Other dosage forms:

• oral capsule, oral tablet

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause injection site reactions. Check with your doctor right away if you have bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site.

Check with your doctor right away if you have dark urine, general tiredness and weakness, light-colored stools, nausea and vomiting, upper right stomach pain, and yellow eyes and skin. These may be symptoms of serious liver problems.

Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain, dry cough, fever, general feeling of tiredness or weakness, rapid breathing, skin rash, or trouble breathing. These may be symptoms of a lung problem called eosinophilic pneumonia.

This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.

You will need to stop using opioids (narcotics) for at least 7 to 10 days before you can start receiving naltrexone (the active ingredient contained in Revia) injection. Your doctor may need to do the naloxone challenge test or a urine test for opioids to make sure you are opioid-free.

This medicine may increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor right away if you start to feel more depressed. Also tell your doctor right away if you have thoughts about hurting yourself. Report any unusual thoughts or behaviors that trouble you, especially if they are new or get worse quickly. Make sure your caregiver knows if you feel tired all the time, sleep a lot more or a lot less than usual, feel hopeless or helpless, or if you have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. Also tell your doctor if you have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared.

Remember that use of naltrexone is only part of your treatment. Be sure that you follow all of your doctor's orders, including seeing your therapist and/or attending support group meetings on a regular basis.

Do not try to overcome the effects of naltrexone injection by taking narcotics. You may be more sensitive to the effects of narcotics than you were before beginning naltrexone treatment. You could overdose and develop serious problems, including coma or death. Symptoms of an opioid overdose include: drowsiness, extreme dizziness or weakness, irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing, pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin, pinpoint pupils, relaxed and calm, slow heartbeat or breathing, seizures, sleepiness, trouble breathing, or cold, clammy skin. Tell your doctor right away if you notice these symptoms. Your doctor may also give naloxone to treat an overdose.

Naltrexone injection also blocks the useful effects of narcotics. Always use a non-narcotic medicine to treat pain, diarrhea, or a cough. If you have any questions about the proper medicine to use, check with your doctor.

Naltrexone injection will not prevent you from becoming impaired when you drink alcohol. Do not take naltrexone in order to drive or perform other activities while under the influence of alcohol.

After naltrexone is injected into your body, it is impossible to remove it.

It is recommended that you carry an identification card stating that you are receiving naltrexone injection. You may also need to carry a letter to let others know you are receiving this medicine in case you have a medical emergency.

You may experience nausea after the first injection of this medicine that should be mild and subside a few days afterwards. You will be less likely to have nausea with your next injections.

This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. If any of these side effects occur, do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert while you are receiving naltrexone injection.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are receiving this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Serious side effects of Revia

Along with its needed effects, naltrexone may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking naltrexone:

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking naltrexone:

Symptoms of overdose

• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

Other side effects of Revia

Some side effects of naltrexone may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to naltrexone: compounding powder, intramuscular powder for injection extended release, oral capsule, oral tablet.

Nervous system adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (25%), dizziness/syncope (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Somnolence/sedation
• Frequency not reported: Lethargy, cerebral arterial aneurysm, convulsions, disturbance in attention, dysgeusia, mental impairment, migraine, ischemic stroke, paresthesia^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Insomnia/sleep disorder (14%), anxiety (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Depression
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Suicide attempt/ideation
• Frequency not reported: Irritability, abnormal dreams, agitation, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, euphoric mood, delirium, libido decreased^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (33%), vomiting NOS (14%), diarrhea (13%), abdominal pain (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dry mouth, toothache
• Frequency not reported: Abdominal discomfort, colitis, constipation, flatulence, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hemorrhoids, pancreatitis acute, paralytic ileus^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): Alanine aminotransferase increased (13%), aspartate aminotransferase increased (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Gamma-glutamyltransferase increased
• Frequency not reported: Lymphadenopathy including cervical adenitis, white blood cell count increased, cholecystitis acute, cholelithiasis^[Ref]

Local

• Very common (10% or more): Injection site tenderness (45%), injection site induration (35%), injection site pain (17%), other injection site reaction (primarily nodules, swelling) (15%), injection site pruritus (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site ecchymosis^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia/arthritis/joint stiffness (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain/stiffness, muscle cramps
• Frequency not reported: Chills, joint stiffness, muscle spasms, myalgia, pain in limb^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Asthenic conditions (23%)
• Frequency not reported: Chest pain, chest tightness, abortion missed^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Angina pectoris, angina unstable, atrial fibrillation, cardiac failure congestive, coronary artery atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, palpitations, deep vein thrombosis^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dyspnea, pharyngolaryngeal pain, sinus congestion^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash
• Frequency not reported: Face edema, night sweats, pruritus, sweating increased^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Anorexia/appetite decreased NOS/appetite disorder NOS (14%)
• Frequency not reported: Weight decreased, weight increased, appetite increased, dehydration^[Ref]

Renal

• Very common (10% or more): Abnormal creatinine phosphokinase levels (17%)^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported: Eosinophil counts increased, decreased platelet count^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Conjunctivitis, vision blurred^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reaction (including angioneurotic edema and urticaria)
• Postmarketing reports: Anaphylaxis^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Pharyngitis (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Nasopharyngitis
• Frequency not reported: Seasonal allergies^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• What is low dose naltrexone (LDN)?
• What happens if you drink alcohol while taking naltrexone?
• What to avoid when taking naltrexone?
• Should I take naltrexone in the morning or at night?
• Does naltrexone cause weight gain?
• Acamprosate vs naltrexone: How do they compare?
• How long does naltrexone take to work?
• How does naltrexone make you feel?
• What is the mechanism of action for naltrexone?

Further information

Revia side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer