Maybe you want to drink less during the week. Maybe you have a wedding, concert, or night out coming up and want help sticking to a limit you've set for yourself. Or maybe you're thinking about taking a break or stopping.
Naltrexone is a non-addictive prescription pill that may help reduce alcohol cravings. Some people take it every day. In some care plans, a prescriber may recommend taking it around certain situations when drinking is likely. The right plan depends on your goals and what a prescriber recommends.
How naltrexone may help
Naltrexone changes how the brain responds to alcohol. For some people, it can reduce cravings and make drinking feel less rewarding.
It doesn't make you sick if you drink, and it doesn't prevent alcohol from affecting you. It also doesn't guarantee you'll drink less. Think of it as a possible source of support as you work toward a goal you choose.
Different goals can call for different plans
Imagine you often have a drink after work or with dinner, then have more than you planned. If your goal is to cut back, a prescriber might discuss taking naltrexone daily. The goal could be to help manage cravings or make it easier to follow the plan you set—not necessarily to stop drinking altogether.
Daily use can also be part of a plan to take a break or stop. Taking it daily doesn't mean you have to drink every day, or that you need to choose one specific goal.
Maybe you mostly drink at weddings, dinners, or nights out with friends. You might ask a prescriber whether a plan tied to those situations could make sense. Some prescribers use what's called targeted dosing: taking the pill at a planned time around an occasion when you expect to drink.
The timing and schedule matter. A prescriber can explain whether this approach fits you and how to follow it. Don't change how you take the pill on your own.
Naltrexone is non-addictive and often well tolerated
It's understandable to have questions about adding medication. Naltrexone isn't habit-forming, and taking it as prescribed doesn't create a new addiction. In studies, most people taking the pill for alcohol use tolerated it well. Side effects can still happen, though, and your prescriber can talk with you about what to expect.
Nausea and headache are among the side effects reported. Naltrexone can also affect how opioid medicines work, including some prescription pain medicines. Your prescriber may ask about your medications and health history to see if the pill is a good fit for you.
Start with the goal you have
You don't have to decide to quit before asking about naltrexone. You can start by talking through what you'd like to change—drinking less often, feeling more in control in certain situations, taking a break, or stopping.
If you think medication might be a helpful addition to your plan, we can help connect you with medication care. A prescriber can help you explore whether it's right for you.
The cost of medication and related care may depend on your coverage and pharmacy. We can help you understand what costs, if any, you might have for medication care through the program.