Vivitrol (Naltrexone XR Inj): Uses, Dosage, Side Effects ... - RxList

What Is Vivitrol?

Vivitrol (naltrexone) for Extended-Release Injectable Suspension is an opioid antagonist used to treat alcohol dependence and prevent relapse to opioid dependence.

What Are Side Effects of Vivitrol?

Vivitrol may cause serious side effects including:

• weak or shallow breathing,
• confusion,
• severe dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• depression,
• thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself,
• severe pain,
• swelling,
• blistering,
• skin changes,
• dark scab or hard lump where the medicine was injected,
• new or worsening cough,
• wheezing,
• trouble breathing,
• nausea,
• upper stomach pain,
• itching,
• tried feeling,
• loss of appetite,
• dark urine,
• clay-colored stools, and
• yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Common side effects of Vivitrol include:

• nausea,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• anxiety,
• nervousness,
• restlessness,
• irritability,
• tiredness,
• loss of appetite,
• increased thirst,
• muscle or joint aches,
• weakness,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• decreased sex drive,
• impotence, or
• difficulty having an orgasm.

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out;
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for Vivitrol

The recommended dosage of Vivitrol is 380 mg taken once a month. Vivitrol must be administered under a doctor's supervision.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Vivitrol?

Vivitrol may interact with narcotic pain medications including buprenorphine, butorphanol, codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, levorphanol, meperidine, methadone, morphine, nalbuphine, naloxone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, or propoxyphene. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you take. Do not use narcotic drugs or alcohol while taking Vivitrol. Exercise caution if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert while taking Vivitrol. Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating you use Vivitrol.

Vivitrol During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

If you are pregnant only take Vivitrol if the potential benefits outweigh the potential risk to the fetus. Do not take Vivitrol if you are breastfeeding. Use of Vivitrol does not eliminate nor diminish alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Additional Information

Our Vivitrol (naltrexone) for Extended-Release Injectable Suspension Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.