The weight-loss aspect aside, naltrexone has a few off-label uses worth mentioning. Either way, you should never take more than two tablets at once or a total of four tablets in a single day. In one study, 7% of the participants discontinued the medication because of nausea. A systematic review of 14 articles reported that the combination is both promising and well-tolerated. Naltrexone oral tablet comes in a strength of 50 milligrams (mg). Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine.
Naltrexone injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
It is most effective in users who continue to drink lightly at the start of their therapy rather than attempting to immediately stop using completely. So for now, Naltrexone for alcohol abuse treatment has FDA approval. The relapse rate for users taking Vivitrol is just 21 percent. Vivitrol use is accompanied by some side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, and what is alcoholism vomiting.

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

As a treatment option for obesity, naltrexone/bupropion has proved efficacious and safe. As a treatment for body weight in patients with antipsychotic treatment, this combination of medicaments is a subject with limited high-quality research (only two were found) 31, 32. However, the results of the thirteen articles are promising for intervention with obese subjects after longitudinal treatment.
Risks and Side Effects: A Detailed Analysis
- Half life is a measure of how long it would take half of a dose of a drug to be processed and eliminated.
- Learn more about who naltrexone treatment is for, how it works, what its common side effects are, and more below.
- People with bipolar disorder who take an antidepressant, such as Contrave, may have a higher risk of having mania or a manic episode.
- The most common effects were mild constipation, dry mouth, or dysgeusia 2,3,5.
- Dopamine is a chemical found in the brain that is responsible for pleasure and rewards.
The following discussion interprets these findings in the context of underlying mechanisms, class-specific tolerability, and clinical implications. Data were extracted as reported in the original studies and presented in descriptive tables and narrative synthesis. To explore additional treatment options, you can view editorially selected providers on our site or visit the SAMHSA Treatment Locator. Calling the number is free and confidential, but treatment services may involve costs depending on your insurance coverage and the level of care required. You are under no obligation to engage in care with Treatment X. We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies.

It is one of the greatest public health threats in Europe and the world 1. The World Health Organization (WHO) assessed that excessive weight is the cause of death of almost 3 million people and brings about disability amongst 35.8 million people annually 2. In adults, obesity criteria include a body mass index naltrexone side effects (BMI) over 30 kg/m2 3.
Bupropion for weight loss (Wellbutrin, Zyban)
- Lifestyle changes, including improved sleep, stress management, and behavioral therapy, are also crucial components of a successful weight loss strategy.
- This helps to avoid any problems that could arise from interactions or complications.
- This medicine is used in people who are obese or overweight who also have weight-related medical problems.
- Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
As the body adapts to changes in diet and exercise, weight loss can slow or even stop. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs.