If you have a dependence on either alcohol or opioids, your doctor may suggest treatment with Vivitrol. (With dependence, your body needs a certain substance for you to feel comfortable.)

It is a prescription drug used in adults.

  • People who have stopped drinking can be treated for alcohol dependence.
  • “People who have stopped using opioids should not be dependent on the drug. Your body clears the drugs from it’s system during opiate detox.”

Vivitrol should be used as part of a complete treatment program, along with counseling, education, and support groups.

To learn more about how Vivitrol is used for these conditions, see the “Is Vivitrol used for alcohol dependence?” and “Is Vivitrol used for other conditions?” sections below.

Vivitrol basics

Vivitrol contains the active drug naltrexone. Vivitrol isn’t available as a generic.

You’ll receive Vivitrol as an injection into a muscle of your buttock. A healthcare professional will give you this injection every 4 weeks.

You can learn more about the side effects of Vivitrol.

“Mild or serious side effects may occur with vyretrol. The side effects described below are more common. They don’t include all the possible side effects.”

Side effects of a drug can depend on other factors.

  • Your age.
  • You have other health conditions.
  • You take other drugs.

The doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the side effects of the drug. They can suggest ways to reduce side effects.

Side effects may vary depending on the reason you are taking the drug.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects Vivitrol can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or you can see this article for details about its side effects. You can also read Vivitrol’s medication guide.

There are some mild side effects of Vivitrol that have been reported.

Many drugs can have mild side effects that go away in a few days or weeks. If they become intolerable, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

The side effect focus section gives more information about this side effect.

Serious side effects

There are serious side effects from vivolin, but they are not common. If you have serious side effects from the drug, call your doctor. If you think you have a medical emergency, call the emergency number.

There have been serious side effects of vyrot.

The side effect focus section gives more information about this side effect.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

If you think someone is at risk of self-injury or hurting another person.

  • You can call your local emergency number.
  • Stay with the person until help arrives.
  • Guns, knives, medications, and other things should be removed.
  • “Don’t judge, argue, threaten, or yell.”

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, you should get help from a hotline. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 800-273-8255.

Side effect focus

Learn about the side effects of vyirr.

Long-term side effects

Side effects can be caused by treatment with vyitol. These include:

Although these were rare in studies, they can be serious.

There are more studies needed to know if there are other long-term side effects caused by the drug.

What can help?

Take care of the symptoms of the liver while taking vyirr.

If you notice symptoms of a problem with the bile duct, call your doctor. Sometimes the treatment of the liver can be avoided.

For information on Vivitrol and Depression., see “Depression” just below.

Depression

It’s possible that Vivitrol could cause Depression. as a side effect. But this was very rare in people who were treated with the drug during studies.

Symptoms of Depression. can include:

  • “It’s a feeling of being sad or feeling hopeless.”
  • feeling angry or aggressive
  • Losing interest in things you enjoy.
  • Sleeping a lot more or less is normal.

What can help?

If you notice a change in your behavior while taking vyitol, call your doctor. This includes all of the symptoms. Your doctor can help you with treatment. They may prescribe other treatments for your condition.

Nausea

It’s possible you’ll experience nausea as a side effect of taking Vivitrol. This was one of the most common side effects reported by people in Vivitrol studies.

Nausea is most common after your first Vivitrol injection. For many people, the nausea is mild and goes away on its own after a few days. It’s less likely you’ll feel nauseous with follow-up injections.

What can help?

“If you have nausea that won’t go away after a injection, you should talk to your doctor. It is possible that nausea may not go away on its own. Your doctor may prescribe a medication to treat this side effect. They may decide that a different treatment is better for you.”

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Vivitrol.

A mild allergic reaction can include some symptoms.

  • There is a skin rash.
  • It is itchy.
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction is not uncommon. A severe allergic reaction can cause swelling under your skin, which can be seen in your eyes, lips, hands, and feet. They can include swelling of your mouth, throat, and tongue, which can cause trouble breathing.

If you have an allergic reaction to Vivitrol, call your doctor. If you think you have a medical emergency, call the emergency number.

Discuss your health with your doctor before starting vystral.

You should tell your doctor and pharmacist anything you take. They can check for any interactions with the drug.

Interactions

Taking medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking any medication, be sure to tell your doctor about it. You should also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions that may occur.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

There are drugs that vylist can interact with. These include:

Some drugs that may interact with the drug, vyrot. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions.

Warnings

If you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health, vylor may not be right for you. Before you take vycist, talk to your doctor about your health history. The factors to consider are listed below.

  • Current or recent opioid use. You must stop any opioid or opioid-containing medications at least 7 to 14 days before you start Vivitrol. Starting Vivitrol while you have opioids in your body can cause severe opioid withdrawal. Also, taking any amount of opioids during Vivitrol treatment can increase the risk of opioid intoxication (overdose). Opioid withdrawal and opioid overdose are serious medical emergencies. They both require treatment in a hospital and may be life threatening. To help avoid withdrawal and overdose, it is very important to tell your doctor about any recent opioid use before starting Vivitrol.
  • Liver problems. Vivitrol can cause liver damage. You may have a higher risk for this if you already have liver problems, or if you drink a lot of alcohol. Your doctor can help determine whether your liver is healthy enough for treatment with Vivitrol.
  • Kidney problems. It’s not known if Vivitrol is safe for use in people with moderate or severe kidney problems. Your doctor can help determine whether your kidneys are healthy enough for treatment with Vivitrol.
  • Bleeding problems, such as hemophilia. Vivitrol is given as an injection into a muscle of your buttock. People with bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia, may have a higher risk of uncontrollable bleeding from this injection. Talk with your doctor if you have a bleeding disorder before you start treatment with Vivitrol. They may recommend a different medication for your condition.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Vivitrol or any of its ingredients, you should not take Vivitrol. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.

Vivitrol and alcohol

“You should not drink alcohol while taking vyirr. Alcohol and vyritrol can cause damage to the body’s organs, and combining them can increase your risk of this side effect.”

People taking Vivitrol for alcohol dependence should not consume alcohol. Dependence on alcohol is a condition that Vivitrol is used to treat. (With dependence, your body needs a certain substance for you to feel comfortable.)

If you have questions about how to stop drinking after taking vyritrol, talk to your doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

You can learn about breastfeeding and pregnancy.

Vivitrol and pregnancy

It is not known if it is safe to take it while pregnant. It is known that alcohol dependence can cause harm to a pregnant woman. The condition that vytrol is used for is.

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should talk to your doctor. They can discuss the pros and cons of the medication with you. They can discuss other treatments.

Vivitrol and breastfeeding

It is not known if it is safe to take vyintrol while breastfeeding. Taking the drug while breastfeeding causes it to pass into the milk. It is not known what effects this will have on a child who is breastfed.

If you are being treated with vyitol, talk to your doctor about feeding options. Your doctor can review the options available to you.

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes questions such as whether the cost of the Vivitrol shot is covered by Medicare or not. You can also visit the Vivitrol manufacturer’s website to see if they have a coupon or other support options.

Answers to some questions about vivolin can be found here.

Will I have withdrawal symptoms when starting or stopping Vivitrol?

If you start treatment with Vivitrol while opioids are in your system, you may have severe opioid withdrawal.

Keep in mind, the drug prevents opioid dependence after you’ve detoxed from opioids. (“Your body needs a substance to feel comfortable. Your body clears the drugs from it’s system during OpioidDetox.”)

Opioid withdrawal can be serious and need treatment in a hospital. If you stopped using opioids within the last 7 to 14 days, you should not start treatment with vystil.

“If you stop treatment with vivolin, you shouldn’t have withdrawal symptoms”

If you have questions or concerns about withdrawal from vivolin, talk to your doctor or pharmacist

Is Vivitrol similar to disulfiram (Antabuse)?

Vivitrol and disulfiram are medications that may be prescribed to help with certain substance dependencies. With dependence, your body needs a certain substance for you to feel comfortable.

Vivitrol treats alcohol and opioid dependence. Disulfiram is used to treat alcohol dependence only.

The brand name version of disulfiram called Antabuse has been discontinued.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how these medications are different.

Does Vivitrol interact with Xanax, Adderall, or Wellbutrin?

No, Vivitrol isn’t known to interact with Xanax, Adderall, or Wellbutrin. Medications that can interact with Vivitrol are listed in the “What should be considered before taking Vivitrol?” section above.

If you have questions about drug interactions, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Can Vivitrol cause weight gain or weight loss? Is it used for weight loss?

It’s possible. Weight gain and weight loss were each reported by people taking Vivitrol in studies. Both side effects were very rare.

Some people may lose weight because of the effects of vylor. It is not approved for weight loss and should not be used for that purpose.

If you have questions about your weight, talk to your doctor. They can help you with your weight loss.

How does Vivitrol work? Is it a controlled substance?

Vivitrol is used in certain situations to treat or prevent dependence on alcohol or opioids. With dependence, your body needs a certain substance for you to feel comfortable.

When you drink alcohol or take opioids, dopamine is released in your brain. Dopamine is a chemical your body makes naturally. It creates pleasant feelings and sends signals that make your body want to drink alcohol or take an opioid again.

The sites in your body where alcohol or opioids attach are blocked by vycist. Dopamine is stopped from being released by vilatrol. This can help you keep from drinking alcohol or taking drugs again.

If you have questions about how the drug works, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Vivitrol isn’t a controlled substance. These substances carry a risk for misuse, which means they may be taken in a way other than how they’re prescribed. Vivitrol doesn’t carry this risk, but opioids do. If you’d like to know more about this, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Are there any reviews available from people who’ve taken Vivitrol?

The manufacturer of Vivitrol doesn’t provide any reviews of their medication for alcohol or opioid dependence.

In certain situations, vyretrol is used for dependence on alcohol or drugs. Your body needs a substance to feel comfortable.

If you want to learn more about the drug, you should talk to your doctor. They can review the pros and cons of this medication. They can discuss other treatments with you, and compare them to Vivitrol.

Vivitrol and methadone are both prescribed for treating opioid dependence. (With dependence, your body needs a certain substance for you to feel comfortable.)

Vivitrol is also prescribed for dependence on alcohol. Methadone isn’t used for this.

Methadone can be used as a pain reliever in some people who don’t respond to certain other pain medications. Also, it’s important to note that methadone has boxed warnings about the risk of misuse and addiction to the drug, certain life threatening side effects, and serious drug interactions.

Methadone is a generic drug, whereas Vivitrol is a brand-name drug. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how these medications are different.

Vivitrol and Suboxone are both prescribed for treating opioid dependence. (With dependence, your body needs a certain substance for you to feel comfortable.)

But unlike Vivitrol, Suboxone isn’t used to treat alcohol dependence.

Vivitrol is given by a healthcare professional as a once-monthly injection into your buttock. Suboxone, on the other hand, comes as a film that dissolves in your mouth. (You place it either under your tongue or between your gums and cheek.)

Vivitrol and Suboxone have some similarities, but they have important differences as well. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of Vivitrol and Suboxone. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to know more about these drugs.

If you have alcohol dependence, your doctor may suggest treatment with Vivitrol.

It is used to treat alcohol dependence in adults who have stopped drinking and are not in the hospital for treatment. Your body needs a substance to feel comfortable.

Vivitrol should be used as part of a complete treatment program, along with counseling, education, and support groups.

Vivitrol works by blocking binding sites in your body where alcohol attaches. In doing so, Vivitrol stops the release of dopamine (a chemical your body makes naturally). Dopamine creates pleasant feelings and sends signals that make your body want to drink alcohol again. Blocking dopamine release helps you have fewer cravings, which can help keep you from drinking alcohol.

If you have questions about how the drug is used, you can talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

In addition to its use for alcohol dependence, Vivitrol is also prescribed for opioid dependence. To learn more, see “Is Vivitrol used for other conditions?” directly below.

If you have opioid dependence, your doctor may suggest treatment with Vivitrol. It’s used to prevent dependence after detoxing from opioids.

“Your body needs a substance to feel comfortable. Your body clears the drugs from it’s system during OpioidDetox.”

Vivitrol is given to help stop you from having opioid dependence again if you’ve used opioids in the past. For this use, Vivitrol should be used as part of a complete treatment program, along with counseling, education, and support groups.

Vivitrol works by blocking binding sites in your body where opioids attach. In doing so, Vivitrol stops the release of dopamine (a chemical your body makes naturally). Dopamine creates pleasant feelings and sends signals that make your body want to take opioids again. Blocking dopamine release helps you have fewer cravings, which can help keep you from being dependent on opioids.

Opioid dependence is possible with typical use of the drugs, even when they are prescribed by a doctor.

If you have questions about how the drug works, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

In addition to this use, Vivitrol is prescribed for alcohol dependence. To learn more, see “Is Vivitrol used for alcohol dependence?” directly above.

Vivitrol and naltrexone are both prescribed for treating opioid and alcohol dependence. With dependence, your body needs a certain substance for you to feel comfortable.

Vivitrol is given by a healthcare professional as a once-monthly injection into your buttock. Naltrexone comes as a tablet that you swallow, usually once per day.

Both naltrexone and vivtrol have the same active drug. The active ingredient in naltrexone and vivtrol is the same. They have some differences.

Check out this detailed breakdown of Vivitrol and naltrexone. And ask your doctor if you have questions about which drug is right for you.

Your doctor will recommend the correct amount of the drug for you. The dosages are for common uses, but the doctor will decide the exact amount.

Form

Vivitrol comes as a liquid solution. You’ll receive it as an injection into a muscle of your buttock.

Recommended dosage

Most people get a Vivitrol injection once every 4 weeks, or once each month. You can see this article for more in-depth information about Vivitrol’s recommended dosage.

Questions about Vivitrol’s dosage

Some questions about the dosage of the drug are listed below.

  • What if I miss a dose of Vivitrol? If you miss a Vivitrol injection, call your doctor’s office to reschedule your appointment as soon as possible. It’s very important to get your Vivitrol doses on schedule, because levels in your body start to drop about 2 weeks after each dose.
  • Will I need to use Vivitrol long term? If you and your doctor agree Vivitrol is working well for you, you’ll likely use the drug long term.
  • How long does Vivitrol take to work? Vivitrol may start working as soon as 2 hours after you get an injection. The drug releases slowly into your body over 4 weeks. But after 2 weeks, Vivitrol levels in your body begin to drop.

Your doctor will explain how to use it. They will tell you how much you will be given.

Receiving Vivitrol

You’ll receive Vivitrol as an injection into a muscle of your buttock by a healthcare professional. Typically, it’s given once every 4 weeks, or once each month.

“The healthcare professional must give vysril. You can’t give injections to yourself.”

Questions about receiving Vivitrol

There are answers to a few questions about taking vyirr.

  • Can Vivitrol be chewed, crushed, or split? Vivitrol comes as a liquid solution. It can’t be chewed, crushed, or split.
  • Should I take Vivitrol with food? Vivitrol is given as an injection every 4 weeks. It isn’t affected by food or meals.

Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about your treatment. Discuss your concerns with your doctor.

Here are a few tips that might help you.

  • Before your appointment, write down questions such as:
    • How will vyirr affect my body, mood, and lifestyle?
    • “How will I know if it’s working for me?”
  • Bring someone with you to your appointment to make you feel more comfortable.
  • “If you don’t understand something, ask your doctor to explain it.”

“Your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. They want you to get the best care possible. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or give feedback on your treatment”

If you have dependence on either alcohol or opioids, your doctor may suggest treatment with Vivitrol. (With dependence, your body needs a certain substance for you to feel comfortable.)

vysr is used for alcohol and opiate dependence. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about treatment with the drug.

Here are a few questions you may want to ask your doctor.

  • Can Vivitrol cause hair loss?
  • Is it possible to overdose on the drug?
  • Is there an oral dose of naltrexone that is equal to the one in the bottle?

You may find this article on treating alcohol use disorder to be helpful.

You may want to ask your doctor about other treatments for alcohol and opiate dependence.

Q:

What happens if I need pain medication in an emergency? Will doctors still be able to treat my pain?

Anonymous

A:

In an emergency, doctors will still be able to treat your pain during Vivitrol treatment. Depending on the situation, they may be able to treat your pain with medications that do not contain opioids. (Remember that Vivitrol works by blocking the binding sites where opioids attach in your body. And Vivitrol’s effects can last for a month after your last dose.)

If opioid pain medications are needed, doctors may first give you another type of drug that reverses the effects of Vivitrol. They’ll also carefully monitor your breathing and other vital signs such as heart rate while you’re getting opioid pain medications. This is because taking opioids with Vivitrol can increase the risk of serious side effects. These include sudden opioid withdrawal or opioid intoxication (overdose).

Because of these risks, it’s very important to always wear a medical alert bracelet or dog tag during Vivitrol treatment. Another option is to carry a patient safety card. These contain information that will let healthcare professionals know you’re taking Vivitrol. Then, they can recommend the best possible care in an emergency situation.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.