Naltrax 50 mg

Uses of Naltrax: - Opioid dependence - Alcohol addiction Opioid dependence, Alcohol dependence Patients concurrently dependent on opioids; acute hepatitis or hepatic failure; acute opioid withdrawal; patients on therapeutic opioid analgesics.

How to use Naltrexone: Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Naltrexone may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time. Administration: May be taken with or without food. Adult Dose: Opioid Dependence Prevention of relapse after opioid detoxification; to be used only after patient has been opioid-free for 7-10 days and after negative naloxone challenge (no symptom withdrawal after naloxone administration) PO: 25 mg initially, then observation for 1 hr, then 50 mg once daily starting on day 2; flexible dosing regimens can be employed to accommodate patient convenience or ensure compliance IM: 380 mg in gluteal muscle every 4 weeks for maintenance of abstinence Alcohol Dependence Treatment in patients who have been able to abstain from alcohol in outpatient settings before treatment initiation PO: 50 mg once daily for <12 weeks IM: 380 mg in gluteal muscle every 4 weeks for maintenance of abstinence Child Dose: Safety and efficacy not established

May reduce effects of opiate-containing preparations e.g. those used for cough and cold, diarrhoea and pain. Increased or decreased serum levels with drugs that alter hepatic metabolism. Potentially increased hepatotoxic effects with disulfiram. Increased risk of naltrexone-induced lethargy and somnolence with thioridazine. May increase insulin requirements.

Patients concurrently dependent on opioids; acute hepatitis or hepatic failure; acute opioid withdrawal; patients on therapeutic opioid analgesics.

Common - Joint pain - Fainting - Decreased libido - Muscle pain - Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping) - Increased thirst - Decreased sexual function >10% Injection site reaction (69%; includes bruising, induration, nodules, pain, pruritus, swelling, tenderness) Nausea (33%),Headache (25%),Decreased appetite (14%),Insomnia (14%),Vomiting (14%),Diarrhea (13%),Dizziness (13%),Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) (13%),Anxiety (12%),Arthralgia (12%),Increased creatine phosphokinase (11%),Pharyngitis (11%) 1-10% Depression (8%),Muscle cramps (8%),Back pain (6%),Rash (6%),Dry mouth (5%),Somnolence (4%),Increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (2%) <1% Alopecia,Dyspnea,Edema,Hepatocellular injury,Increased systolic and diastolic blood pressures,Liver function abnormalities,Labored breathing,Nonspecific electrocardiographic (ECG) changes,Opiate withdrawal (mild to severe signs and symptoms, including drug craving, confusion, drowsiness, visual hallucinations, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea),Palpitation,Phlebitis,Tachycardia

Precaution: Hepatic or renal impairment. Monitor LFTs regularly. Patients should be opioid-free for at least 7-10 days prior to initiating naltrexone therapy. Strictly warn patients against the use of opioids while on naltrexone. Monitor for inj-site reactions. Pregnancy, lactation. History of bleeding disorders (including thrombocytopenia).

Naltrexone acts as a competitive antagonist at opioid receptor sites. It blocks the action of opioids and precipitates withdrawal symptoms in opioid-dependent individuals.