VIVITROL(Naltrexone)By: Jessica Klatt, Carol Murray and Mikaela Backus

Facts for VIVITROL Blocks opiate receptors, no opiate in medication

Can be used for both alcohol and opiates

Once monthly injection

Works best in combination with therapy and support agencies ( AA, NA, etc.)

This treatment is recommended for at least 6 months to a year

Covered by Medicaid

Covered by Medicare

For private insurance offers co-pay assistance up to $500 per month

No PAP’s

Any doctor can prescribe, no special license necessary

Naltrexone is the generic name for Vivitrol.

Vivitrol is used for alcohol and opiate addiction. It is used to block opiate receptors however no opiate is in the medication. It is a once a month injection that helps treat the cravings of alcohol and opiates.

Vivitrol works best with the combination of therapy and support group agencies such as AA, NA and others. This treatment is recommended for at least six months to a year. This treatment is covered by Medicaid 100% and by Medicare 80%. However for private insurance offers co-pay assistance up to $500 per month.

Vivitrol is a once- monthly injectable medication(injected in the hip area) approved for the prevention of relapse to opioid dependence following opioid detoxification. As well as the treatment of alcohol dependence in patients who are able to abstain from alcohol in an outpatient setting prior to initiation treatment with VIVITROL.

“Comprehensive treatment should be targeted in 2 regions of the brain that are affected by addiction, the cortex is a target for counseling and the limbic region is a target for medication”(What is VIVITROL?). The role for the cortex is for decision making, thinking, reasoning, learning, and will power. The Limbic region roles are basic drives and euphoria.

Vivitrol is the first and only once a month, nonaddictive, nonnarcotic medication approved to prevent relapse to opioid dependence. Vivitrol does not replace or act as a substitute for opioids or alcohol. It is also not pleasure producing or addictive.

VIVITROL blocks beta-endorphins from attaching to receptors in the brain.

Vivitrol, when added to counseling offers patients a better chance for recovery than counseling alone. Counseling may provide relapse prevention, recovery skills and self-acceptance.

Vivitrol can cause some serious side effects such as severe reaction at the site of injection, risk of opioid overdose, serious allergic reactions, liver damage or hepatitis, and severe allergic pneumonia. Vivitrol can cause a serious side effect of depressed mood. Sometimes this leads to suicide, suicidal thoughts and suicidal behavior.

Vivitrol is given as an intramuscular injection in your buttocks. It is injected by your doctor every four weeks or once a month. Because Vivitrol is an injection, once it is injected it cannot be removed from your body. If you miss an appointment for your injection schedule one as soon as possible.

Some people on this treatment have had some severe reactions at the site of injection, including tissue death. Some of the reactions at the site of injection are intense pain, large area of swelling blisters, dark scabs, the area around site feels hard, lumps and an open wound.

“Vivitrol blocks the effect of opioid-containing medicines. You may be more sensitive to lower doses of opioids after Vivitrol treatments stop, when your next Vivitrol dose is due or if you muss a dose of Vivitrol. Using opioids in amounts that you used before treatment with Vivitrol can lead to overdose and death” (VIVITROL Important Safety Information).

So, overall, Vivitrol (Naltrexone), can help with alcohol and opioid addiction. It works best when paired with therapies and support groups. There are many side effects and risk that go along with it and is still newer to the world of drug treatments

Work Cited

"Naltrexone(Vivitrol) Interview." Personal interview. 4 Apr. 2015

Alkermes. Understanding Alcohol Dependence, the Brain and VIVIROL. 2011.

What Is Vivitrol? N.p.: Alkermes, n.d. Print.