Overview
Vivitrol is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention of relapse to opioid dependence following opioid detoxification. To be eligible for Vivitrol treatment, a person must be opioid-free for a minimum of seven to 10 days before starting therapy to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms. Vivitrol should be used as part of a comprehensive management program that includes psychosocial support. Vivitrol is also known by its drug name, naltrexone.

Vivitrol belongs to the opioid antagonist drug category. It works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, preventing opioids from producing their typical effects and thereby reducing the risk of relapse to opioid use.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Vivitrol is administered as a deep intramuscular injection in the gluteal muscle (buttock) by a healthcare provider. The recommended dosing schedule is one injection every four weeks, alternating buttocks for each dose. Vivitrol should be taken exactly as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of Vivitrol include nausea, vomiting, injection site reactions (such as swelling, pain, nodules, and itching), muscle cramps, dizziness or syncope (fainting), drowsiness or sedation, appetite loss, and insomnia. In people treated for opioid dependence, common effects also include elevated liver enzymes, nasopharyngitis (inflammation of the nose and throat), and toothache.

Rare but serious side effects may include severe injection site reactions requiring surgery, opioid overdose (due to reduced opioid tolerance), acute hepatitis (liver inflammation), depression and suicidal thoughts, eosinophilic pneumonia (a rare lung condition causing difficulty breathing and low oxygen), and hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction).

For more information about this treatment, visit:
Vivitrol (Naltrexone for Extended-Release Injectable Suspension), for Intramuscular Use — Alkermes