Unfortunately, drug addiction is a common and extremely dangerous problem. In the treatment of such an ailment, a complex of various drugs is used, given some drugs. Quite a good remedy is Naltrexone. Reviews of doctors indicate that this substance, when used correctly, really helps to cope with the problem. So how does the drug work? What properties does it have? What complications can cause? The answers to these questions are of interest to many patients.
What is this drug?
This drug is an opioid receptor antagonist. The main active substance is naltrexone hydrochloride - a white, crystalline substance that dissolves well in water. The drug is available in various forms, including tablets for oral administration, capsules with a hard shell, powder for the preparation of a suspension, which is then administered intramuscularly. In addition, in modern narcology, Naltrexone is often sutured, for which special implants are also used. By the way, such a procedure is considered more effective, so it provides a lasting effect.
The main pharmacological properties
This drug reduces the sensitivity of receptors that respond to drugs, alcohol, and certain drugs. The disappearance of the 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, the drug "Naltrexone" is considered quite effective. The reviews of doctors and patients indicate that this medicine 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 in which situations it is advisable to take Naltrexone. These tablets are prescribed for patients suffering from opioid dependence. As an adjuvant , the drug is used to treat after the withdrawal of opioid analgesics. Also helps the drug "Naltrexone" from alcoholism. But you can use the medicine only on the recommendation of a doctor.
The drug "Naltrexone": 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 use of alcohol or drugs - for reliability, blood and urine tests should be performed. Naturally, treatment is possible only in the absence of withdrawal symptoms.
As a rule, patients are recommended to take 50 mg of the active substance per day, which is equal to one tablet. Sometimes a test dose of 20 mg is prescribed first, and if this amount of the drug does not cause any deterioration, its amount is increased.
Quite often, addiction of Naltrexone is recommended for people with addiction. Again, the first implant is introduced on the 7-10th day from the complete cessation of drug use. Re-stitching is necessary after 50-60 days. By the way, this procedure reduces the likelihood of relapse, since 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 point, it is recommended that the patient switch to tablets.
In fact, today many addicted people use the drug "Naltrexone". Reviews of doctors indicate that the percentage of relapse during therapy is not more than 30%, which can be considered a good indicator.
Contraindications to therapy
For many patients, the important question is how safe Naltrexone is and whether all categories of drug addicts can take it. Immediately it is worth saying that there are still contraindications to the conduct of therapy, and you need to familiarize yourself with their list before starting treatment.
The drug is not prescribed for patients with hypersensitivity to naltrexone. Contraindications also include liver failure and acute hepatitis. As mentioned earlier, therapy cannot be started against the background of withdrawal symptoms - first the patient needs to get out of this condition.
Possible side effects and complications
In fact, there are a fairly large number of adverse reactions that can occur when taking the Naltrexone drug. The reviews of patients and doctors indicate that some serious complications are extremely rare. Nevertheless, they are possible and you should definitely familiarize yourself with their list.
- This medicine may cause some digestive upsets. Sometimes patients complain of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain. Less commonly, anorexia, stool disorders, flatulence, increased appetite. Dryness of the oral mucosa may also appear. Perhaps exacerbating the symptoms of hemorrhoids, increasing the activity of liver enzymes, erosion and ulcers of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract.
- The drug "Naltrexone" sometimes acts on the nervous system, causing increased nervousness and anxiety, increased fatigue, sleep disturbance, nightmares. Less commonly observed are headaches, dizziness, confusion, burning eyes, drowsiness, hallucinations, blurred vision. Side effects include asthenia, lethargy, lethargy, fainting, disorientation in time and space.
- This drug may negatively affect the respiratory system. Some patients report shortness of breath, cough, nasal congestion. Separation of sputum mucosa from the bronchi may also increase. Side effects include dry throat, rhinorrhea, nosebleeds, sinusitis, pharyngitis, and susceptibility to respiratory infections.
- Violations of the cardiovascular system rarely occur, including increased heart rate, tachycardia, chest pain, phlebitis, and increased blood pressure.
- Sometimes there are disorders in the urogenital system, which is manifested by discomfort during urination, swelling of the face, fingers, feet and legs, and increased urge to urinate. Sexual disorders, such as decreased potency or delayed ejaculation, may also appear in men .
- Other side effects include allergic skin reactions, prickly heat, baldness, swollen lymph nodes, increased thirst, arthritis, myalgia, pain in the limbs, muscle twitching, sudden weight loss, and excessive sweating.
If you experience any deterioration in well-being, you should consult a doctor for advice. Perhaps you need to adjust the dose, choose an analogue, or introduce additional drugs into the course of treatment to eliminate adverse reactions.
How much is the medicine?
It is quite natural that for many patients the question of the cost of a particular medicine is very important. So how much does Naltrexone cost? The price in this case will depend on many factors, including the company-manufacturer, the city of residence, the pharmacy you have chosen, etc. The cost of the drug varies widely. 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.
The drug "Naltrexone": analogues and substitutes
Sometimes, for some reason, this or that drug is not suitable for patients. Therefore, many are interested in the question of whether it is possible to replace Naltrexone with something. Analogues of this medication exist. But it’s worth saying right away that only the attending physician can select substitutes - the unauthorized use of certain drugs can harm the body and only worsen the situation.
Quite often, doctors recommend such drugs as Antaxon and Vivitrol as an analogue. The same active substance is present in these products, therefore the effect is almost the same.
There are functional substitutes that are different in composition, but have the same properties. This group of drugs includes Antabus, Teturam, and Esperal tablets. You can also choose tools for stitching, for example, "Prodetoxon" or "Radoter."
Reviews of doctors and patients
Unfortunately, drug and alcohol addiction are by no means uncommon. A similar problem is faced by many people. Unfortunately, it is difficult to treat. Doctors recommend the drug Naltrexone to many dependent patients. Patient reviews about this tool are different. There are people to whom he really helps to fight addiction, especially when stitching. The euphoria when using drugs or alcohol becomes less pronounced, so giving up a fatal habit is much easier. On the other hand, there are patients to whom this medicine does not help or even causes severe side effects.
It should be understood that the body 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’t quickly get rid of it with the help of tablets. Here you need a conscious desire to change your life and, of course, complex therapy.