Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved naltrexone oral tablet to treat adults with:
This article describes possible side effects of naltrexone oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for naltrexone. You can explore this overview article to learn more about naltrexone oral tablet, including the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Naltrexone oral tablet is a generic medication. It isn’t available in a brand-name version.
More common side effects of naltrexone
Naltrexone oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of naltrexone oral tablet include:
Mild side effects of naltrexone
Naltrexone may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or bother you.
Mild side effects of naltrexone oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
- dizziness
- fatigue (low energy)
- feeling nervous
- headache
- nausea
- insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- vomiting
- mild allergic reaction*†
Naltrexone oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of naltrexone in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with naltrexone oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Serious side effects of naltrexone
Naltrexone may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from naltrexone oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with naltrexone.
Serious side effects of naltrexone oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
- depression*
- liver damage*
- opioid withdrawal*
- suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- severe allergic reaction*†
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of naltrexone in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with naltrexone oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Suicide prevention
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
- Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741.
- Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
Common questions about side effects of naltrexone
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of naltrexone oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does naltrexone cause long-term side effects?
Yes, sometimes, naltrexone oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. But this is very rare. These can happen if you take the drug for a long time, or they may last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.
Examples of long-term side effects reported with naltrexone oral tablet include liver damage and depression.
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of naltrexone may last.
Do side effects of naltrexone go away?
Yes, side effects of naltrexone go away in almost all cases. How long side effects of naltrexone last is different for each person taking the drug. In most cases, side effects of naltrexone will go away within hours or days of starting or stopping the drug. It’s very rare for someone to have long-term side effects from taking naltrexone. For details about naltrexone and long-term side effects, see the question above.
To learn more about what to expect with side effects of naltrexone, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How long do side effects of naltrexone usually last?
How long side effects of naltrexone last will differ from person to person. In most cases, side effects will ease within hours or days of starting or stopping treatment with the drug.
If you have symptoms that bother you or don’t go away, let your doctor know. They can review your symptoms and determine possible causes. They can also suggest potential treatments.
Can naltrexone cause weight loss?
Maybe. Weight loss and weight gain were reported rarely in one study of naltrexone for opioid use disorder (OUD). And people reported these weight changes before beginning treatment with naltrexone. Weight changes weren’t reported in studies of the drug for alcohol use disorder (AUD). So it’s hard to know for sure whether taking naltrexone for OUD or AUD may lead to weight changes.
It’s worth noting that naltrexone is also an ingredient in the brand-name medication Contrave, which doctors prescribe for weight management. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to learn more about Contrave or have concerns about your weight while taking naltrexone.
Coupon for naltrexone
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Side effects of naltrexone in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of naltrexone oral tablet.
Liver damage
Liver damage was very rare in studies of people taking naltrexone oral tablet. This side effect may be serious.
With liver damage, inflammation and other damage can cause your liver to suddenly stop working or not work as well. Symptoms of liver damage include:
- loss of appetite
- fatigue (low energy)
- jaundice (yellowish color of your skin and the white of your eyes)
- abdominal pain
It’s important to note that liver damage can rarely happen if you suddenly stop taking opioids. (Naltrexone is prescribed to treat opioid use disorder after you stop taking opioids).
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of liver damage, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend stopping treatment with naltrexone. Liver damage and related symptoms caused by naltrexone often go away after you stop treatment with naltrexone.
Depression
Depression was rare in studies of people taking naltrexone oral tablet. This side effect may be serious.
Depression is a mood disorder that causes you to experience long-term feelings of sadness and a loss of self-esteem. Symptoms may include:
- feeling sad or “empty”
- feeling hopeless or pessimistic
- losing interest in hobbies and activities you used to enjoy
Certain factors can increase the risk of depression with naltrexone oral tablet. These include having existing depression or another mood disorder, such as anxiety.
It’s also important to note that many people with substance use disorders also experience depression. Symptoms may relate to the condition being treated rather than naltrexone. (Naltrexone is prescribed to treat alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder).
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of depression, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend a treatment for your symptoms, such as medication or psychotherapy. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, they may also suggest stopping naltrexone and exploring other treatments for your substance use disorder.
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Opioid withdrawal was rare in studies of people taking naltrexone oral tablet. This side effect may be serious.
With severe opioid withdrawal, you experience symptoms when you stop taking opioids. These may include:
- feeling anxious or restless
- digestive problems, including diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal cramps
- high blood pressure
If symptoms become severe and you don’t receive prompt treatment, they could lead to serious or even life threatening complications. For example, vomiting and diarrhea could cause dehydration (low fluid level in your body) and electrolyte problems.
Certain factors can increase the risk of severe opioid withdrawal with naltrexone oral tablet. These include taking naltrexone while you’re still taking opioids.
Ways to manage
To lower your risks for opioid withdrawal, your doctor will wait to prescribe naltrexone until you’ve stopped taking opioids. You should not take naltrexone until you have stopped taking opioids.
If you experience symptoms of severe opioid withdrawal, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend treatment for your symptoms, which will vary depending on how withdrawal affects you.
Allergic reaction
For some people, naltrexone oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to naltrexone oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for naltrexone
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking naltrexone oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take naltrexone oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether naltrexone oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking naltrexone oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
- liver conditions, such as hepatitis
- mental health or mood conditions
- past allergic reaction to naltrexone
Naltrexone and pregnancy
It’s unknown whether it’s safe to take naltrexone oral tablet during pregnancy. However, there are known risks to having an untreated substance use disorder during pregnancy. (Naltrexone is prescribed to treat opioid use disorder as well as alcohol use disorder).
If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. They can review substance use disorder treatments with you and decide whether or not you should take naltrexone during pregnancy.
Naltrexone and breastfeeding
It’s unknown whether it is safe to take naltrexone oral tablet while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Naltrexone and alcohol
Naltrexone oral tablet is prescribed to treat alcohol use disorder. You should not drink alcohol if you’re taking naltrexone to treat this condition.
If you’re prescribed naltrexone to treat opioid use disorder, talk with your doctor to learn more about the risks and safety of consuming alcohol while you’re taking naltrexone.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of naltrexone oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How do side effects of naltrexone compare with those of other treatments for my condition?
- If I have side effects from taking naltrexone, but it’s working for my condition, can you prescribe a lower dosage for me to try?
- Does my health history raise my risk of side effects if I take naltrexone?
- Do any medications I take interact with naltrexone and raise my risk of side effects?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.