Hope Integrative Medicine · Medication guide
Generic naltrexone tablets: what to expect
A daily tablet used mainly to treat alcohol use disorder; it also blocks the effects of opioids.
At a glance
- Form
- Tablet swallowed by mouth
- How often
- Once a day
- Given by
- You, as prescribed
What it is
Naltrexone blocks the effects of opioids and is used to treat alcohol use disorder. It is not an opioid and is not a controlled medication.
The brand ReVia is no longer sold; generic tablets are available.
Who it is for
Adults with alcohol use disorder, as part of a plan that includes counseling and support.
For opioid use disorder, experts advise daily tablets only in limited situations, because daily doses are easy to miss. The monthly injection, Vivitrol, is used more often.
How it is taken
Swallow the tablet by mouth. The label recommends 50 mg once a day for most people.
- Take it exactly as prescribed.
How often
Once a day.
Getting started
Naltrexone can bring on sudden withdrawal if opioids are still in your body, so you need to be opioid-free for at least 7 to 10 days before the first dose.
- A urine drug test before the first dose can help confirm you are opioid-free.
- A blood test checks your liver before you begin.
Ready for the first step?
New patients are often able to be scheduled within a week of requesting an appointment.
Your visits
Treatment typically begins with an in-person assessment, followed by weekly in-person or virtual visits before moving to a monthly schedule. Each plan is tailored to the patient and their situation.
If problems come up, visits become more frequent again until things are steady.
- A urine drug test at every visit: a point-of-care test in our West Ashley office or a test at a local lab near you, with confirmatory lab testing when a result needs it.
- Screening for depression and anxiety at every visit.
- Monthly counseling, alongside your medication visits.
- Blood tests to check your liver, as your provider recommends.
- A review of how you are doing, side effects and your goals.
Safety
- Naltrexone can harm the liver. Tell your provider about stomach pain that lasts, dark urine or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
- Using large amounts of opioids to get past the block, or using opioids after stopping naltrexone, can cause a fatal overdose because your tolerance is lower.
- Stopping heavy daily drinking suddenly can cause seizures or delirium tremens, which can be fatal. Talk to a clinician before stopping, and call 911 for confusion, hallucinations or a seizure.
Common Questions
No. That is disulfiram. Naltrexone does not cause a reaction with alcohol.
Naltrexone blocks opioids. If opioids are still in your body, the first dose can bring on sudden withdrawal, so a waiting period of at least 7 to 10 days comes first.
Yes. Vivitrol is naltrexone given as an injection every 4 weeks in our office, so there is no daily tablet to remember.
Yes. Medication works best as part of a complete plan, so monthly counseling runs alongside your medication visits.
Alcohol use disorder treatment, step by step
Opioid use disorder treatment, step by step
This article is general information, not medical advice, and does not create a patient–provider relationship. Every situation is different, so see a provider who can evaluate yours and develop a plan of care. Any medication discussed here may not be right for you: the right choice depends on your diagnoses, other health conditions and current medicines, so take medication only as directed by the provider managing your care. If you are ever in doubt about an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.