Natrexone (Revia)

Question 1

Class

Answer 1

Opioid antagonist

Question 2

Indications

Answer 2

• Adjunct in treatment of alcohol dependence

- Adjunct in maintenance of abstinence from opioids after opioid detoxification

Question 3

Dose Range

Answer 3

25 - 50 mg once daily

Question 4

Counselling/SE

Answer 4

• This medicine can make you dizzy and drowsy; avoid driving until know how it affects you.
• If you notice yellowing of the whites of your eyes, dark urine or pale bowel motions, stop taking naltrexone and tell your doctor at once.
• Tell all health professionals that you are taking this
  medication

After opioid withdrawal:
- you are at a greater risk of having a fatal overdose if you stop taking naltrexone and use heroin again
- if you decide to use heroin again, be aware that:
• naltrexone will continue to block the effects of opioids/heroin for another 3 days after you stop taking it; this does not mean that you require larger doses of heroin and in fact once naltrexone has been cleared you’re your body, previous doses of heroin used may now be fatal
- DO NOT try to overcome the blockade effects of naltrexone with larger doses of heroin

SE –> are usually transient and subside after 1-2 weeks of treatment:

• neasea, headache dizziness, fatigue sleepiness, insomnia anxiety
• hepatotoxicity

Question 5

Monitoring

Answer 5

?