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Vivitrol Injections for Alcohol: How Does it Work?
Vivitrol is an FDA-approved intramuscular injection of the pharmaceutical drug naltrexone. It is used for treatment of alcoholism and drug abuse after an initial detoxification period.
Naltrexone is different from other medications used to treat alcohol dependence, such as disulfiram. It works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, which decreases the desire to drink alcohol.
Vivitrol treatment is classified as an opioid antagonist and is used as part of a complete alcohol addiction treatment program. It should not be taken by anybody currently using opioids, including methadone, as opioid withdrawal symptoms will occur.
Does Vivitrol Work for Alcohol Addiction?
Vivitrol is an effective treatment for alcohol abuse and alcohol use disorder. A recent study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that a monthly Vivitrol shot is as effective as a daily pill of buprenorphine and naloxone, which has well-proven efficacy.
Vivitrol is effective because of how it affects the brain. Blocking opioid receptors negates the reward-based feelings that accompany drinking. Other treatments, such as Acamprosate, are designed to promote alcohol abstinence through adverse side effects. Vivitrol is different — it is designed to limit the ability of alcohol to reach the reward centers of the brain.
Clinical evidence suggests that Vivitrol is more effective in diminishing heavy drinking among men than women. This may be due to the nature of the injections, as Vivitrol is better absorbed intramuscularly (inside muscle tissue) than subcutaneously (inside fatty tissue). Men tend to be able to take on more intramuscular medication than women, on average.
Regardless of sex or gender, Vivitrol works best when administered as part of a more extensive rehab program or treatment plan.
Side Effects of Vivitrol Injections
Many patients that take Vivitrol injections do not experience any side effects. However, Vivitrol can cause unpleasant and potentially serious physical reactions for some users, including:
- Headache
- Nausea and diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Chest pain
- Muscle cramps
- Flu-like symptoms
- Weakness
- Epidermal irritation at injection site
- Liver damage
Vivitrol can also cause neurological side effects, such as:
- Dizziness
- Nervousness or restlessness
- Irritability
- Drowsiness
- Insomnia
- Decreased appetite
If patients have traces of opiate recovery medications in their system, there is also a chance of developing severe withdrawal symptoms. A healthcare provider should be notified immediately if any of the following occur:
- Hallucinations
- Blurred vision
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Severe vomiting and diarrhea
Dangers of Drinking Alcohol on Vivitrol
According to the FDA and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), there appears to be no significant dangers associated with drinking alcohol while taking Vivitrol. However, if Vivitrol is being used to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD), then the patient being treated should not drink alcohol. It is important to start Vivitrol only after drinking has stopped for several days.
Vivitrol is only approved by the FDA for people who have stopped drinking alcohol and those who are able to not drink alcohol during outpatient treatment. The FDA and NIAAA state that drinking alcohol while taking Vivitrol will not:
- Alter intoxication based on the amount of alcohol ingested
- Alter or increase the regular effects of alcohol usage
- Cause acute illness (unlike disulfiram, which blocks alcohol metabolism and causes nausea, vomiting, headaches, and other symptoms)
- Increase any long-term effects associated with chronic alcohol abuse
- Increase any cognitive issues
