"Naltrexone": reviews. Instructions for use, description, analogy

Unfortunately, drug dependence is a common and extremely dangerous problem. In the treatment of such ailment a complex of various means is used, including some medications. Naltrexone is considered to be a very good product. The doctors' testimonies indicate that this substance, when properly applied, really helps to cope with the problem. So how does the drug work? What properties does it have? What complications can cause? Many patients are interested in answering these questions.

What is this drug?

This drug is an antagonist of opioid receptors. The main active substance is naltrexone hydrochloride - a white, crystalline substance that dissolves well in water. The drug is available in various forms, including oral tablets, hard-shell capsules, powder for suspension, which is then administered intramuscularly. In addition, in modern narcology, Naltrexone is sewn often, for which special implants are also used. By the way, such a procedure is considered more effective, so it provides a lasting impact.

Main pharmacological properties

This drug reduces the sensitivity of receptors, which react to narcotic substances, alcohol and some drugs. The disappearance of euphoria caused by opioids and other means, gradually leads to the fact that a person ceases to feel a psychological and physical attraction to drugs.

In modern narcology, Naltrexone is considered to be quite effective. Reviews of doctors and patients indicate that this drug reduces the craving for narcotic analgesics and their surrogates, including codeine, morphine, subutex, heroin, methadone, heptadone, bupranal, adanone, etc.

Indications for use

Many people are interested in questions about which situations are appropriate for taking Naltrexone. These pills are prescribed for patients suffering from opioid dependence. As an adjuvant, the drug is used for treatment after the abolition of opioid analgesics. Also helps drug "Naltrexone" from alcoholism. But the medicine can be used only on the recommendation of a doctor.

Naltrexone medication: instructions for use

Naturally, the dosage is determined individually, after all the necessary diagnostic procedures. Therapy begins only after 7-10 days after stopping the intake of alcohol or drugs - for reliability you need to make blood and urine tests. Naturally, treatment is possible only in the absence of withdrawal syndrome.

As a rule, patients are recommended to take 50 mg of active substance per day, which is equal to one tablet. Sometimes a trial dose of 20 mg is first given, and if this amount of the drug does not cause any impairment, the amount is increased.

Quite often, people with addiction are recommended to sew Naltrexone. Again, the first implant is introduced on the 7th - 10th day from the complete cessation of the use of narcotic drugs. Re-stitching is necessary after 50 - 60 days. By the way, this procedure reduces the likelihood of a relapse, because the body constantly receives the necessary dose of the drug. If the effect of the implant is over, but the next stitching is not possible at this time, the patient is advised to switch to tablets.

In fact, today many dependent people use Naltrexone. The doctors' testimonies indicate that the percentage of relapse during therapy is no more than 30%, which can be considered a good indicator.

Contraindications to therapy

For many patients, it is important to know how safe Naltrexone is and whether all categories of drug users can take it. Immediately it is worthwhile to say that there are contraindications to the therapy and their list should be read before the reception.

The drug is not prescribed to patients with increased sensitivity to naltrexone. Contraindications also include hepatic insufficiency and acute hepatitis. As mentioned earlier, therapy can not be started against a background of withdrawal symptoms - the patient first needs to get out of this state.

Possible side effects and complications

In fact, there are quite a large number of adverse reactions, which may result from the use of the drug Naltrexone. Reviews of patients and doctors indicate that some serious complications are extremely rare. Nevertheless, they are possible and must be familiarized with their list.

• This medicine can cause some disorders on the part of the digestive tract. Sometimes patients complain of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain. Less often, anorexia, stools, flatulence, increased appetite. Also, dryness of the oral mucosa may appear. Possible worsening of symptoms of hemorrhoids, increased activity of liver enzymes, erosion and ulcers of the mucosa of the digestive tract.
• The drug "Naltrexone" sometimes affects the nervous system, causing increased nervousness and anxiety, increased fatigue, sleep disturbance, nightmares. Less common are headaches, dizziness, confusion, burning sensation in the eyes, drowsiness, hallucinations, blurred vision. Side effects include asthenia, lethargy, lethargy, fainting, disorientation in time and space.
• This medicine may adversely affect the respiratory system. Some patients note the appearance of shortness of breath, coughing, stuffiness of the nose. Also, the separation of mucous sputum from the bronchi may be increased. To the list of side effects include dryness in the throat, rhinorrhea, nosebleeds, sinusitis, pharyngitis, susceptibility to respiratory tract infections.
• Rarely cardiovascular disorders occur, including increased heart rate, tachycardia, chest pain, phlebitis, increased blood pressure.
• Sometimes there are disorders in the work of the genitourinary system, which is manifested by discomfort during urination, swelling of the face, fingers, feet and shins, frequent urge to urinate. Men may also develop sexual disorders, for example, decreased potency or delayed ejaculation.
• Other side effects include skin allergic reactions, puffiness, alopecia, lymphadenopathy, increased thirst, arthritis, myalgia, pain in the extremities, muscle twitching, sudden weight loss, excessive sweating.

At occurrence of any deterioration of state of health it is necessary to address for advice to the doctor. Perhaps you need to adjust the dose, choose an analogue or introduce additional medications into the course of treatment to eliminate side reactions.

How much is the medicine?

It is quite natural that for many patients the question of the cost of a medicine is very important. So how much will Naltrexone remedy? The price in this case will depend on many factors, including the manufacturer, the city of residence, the pharmacy you have chosen, etc. The cost of the drug varies within very wide limits. For example, a package of ten tablets costs from 660 to 800 rubles. If we are talking about capsules, then ten pieces cost about 580 - 650 rubles.

Naltrexone: analogues and substitutes

Sometimes patients for some reason does not fit a particular drug. Therefore, many are interested in the question of whether it is possible to replace "Naltrexone" with something. Analogues of this drug exist. But it is worthwhile to say at once that only the attending physician can select alternatives - unauthorized use of certain medications can harm the body and only worsen the situation.

Quite often, as an analogue, doctors recommend such drugs as "Antakson" and "Vivitrol". In these agents, the same active substance is present, so the effect is almost the same.

There are also functional substitutes, which are different in composition, but have the same properties. To this group of medicines you can include tablets "Antabus", "Teturam", "Esperal". You can also choose the means for sewing, for example, "Prodetoxon" or "Radoter".

Reviews of doctors and patients

Unfortunately, narcotic and alcohol addiction is by no means a rarity. Many people face this problem. Unfortunately, it can hardly be treated. To many dependent patients, doctors recommend Naltrexone. The patients' opinions about this drug are different. There are people whom he really helps to fight with addiction, especially when sewing. Euphoria with the use of drugs or alcohol becomes less pronounced, so it is much easier to give up the disastrous habit. On the other hand, there are patients to whom this medication does not help or even causes serious side effects.

It is necessary to understand that the organism of each person is individual and the selection of effective drugs is a long process. And addiction is not only a physical problem, but also a psychological one, so you can not get rid of it quickly with the help of tablets. Here you need a conscious desire to change your life and, of course, complex therapy.