Extended-release naltrexone treatment designed to help manage alcohol cravings as part of a comprehensive recovery plan.
When alcohol use becomes difficult to control, medication can be one part of a more structured approach to recovery. We offer Vivitrol as an extended-release medication-assisted treatment option for people seeking care for alcohol dependence.
Vivitrol contains naltrexone and is administered by a healthcare provider as a long-acting injection. Naltrexone can help reduce the urge to drink for some people. According to the FDA prescribing information, Vivitrol should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment program that includes psychosocial support.
At Allevate, we focus on helping you understand your options and determine whether medication may have a place in an individualized recovery plan.
Vivitrol is an extended-release injectable form of naltrexone, an FDA-approved medication for the treatment of alcohol dependence in appropriate patients. Current clinical language commonly refers to problematic alcohol use as alcohol use disorder (AUD), while the FDA indication for Vivitrol uses the term alcohol dependence.
Naltrexone is available in oral and extended-release injectable forms. The Vivitrol medication provides a long-acting dose rather than requiring a naltrexone tablet every day.
Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors involved in the rewarding effects of drinking alcohol. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism identifies naltrexone as one of the FDA-approved medication options for alcohol use disorder and notes that it can help reduce drinking for some patients.
Alcohol use disorder can involve strong urges to drink, difficulty cutting back, or continued alcohol use despite negative effects on health, relationships, responsibilities, or daily life.
For the FDA-approved alcohol-dependence indication, patients should be able to abstain from alcohol before beginning Vivitrol and should not be actively drinking when the first injection is given. Vivitrol does not replace counseling, recovery support, or other forms of care that may be appropriate for an individual patient.
We view Vivitrol for alcohol-related concerns as one potential tool within a broader treatment plan. Whether it is appropriate depends on factors including your health history, current medications, substance use, treatment goals, and clinical evaluation.
The Vivitrol injection is a long-acting form of naltrexone administered by a healthcare provider.
The FDA prescribing information recommends a 380 mg deep intramuscular injection every four weeks, or approximately once a month. These are general prescribing guidelines for the medication, not a description of an individualized Allevate treatment plan.
Because Vivitrol injections provide extended-release medication over the dosing interval, they offer an alternative to taking oral naltrexone every day. Once administered, however, the medication remains active in the body, making appropriate screening and discussion of potential risks important before treatment.
Vivitrol may be considered for people seeking medication treatment for alcohol dependence who can abstain from alcohol before the first injection. It is not appropriate for everyone, and a clinical evaluation is needed to determine candidacy.
Recent or current opioid use is especially important. Vivitrol blocks opioid receptors and is contraindicated for patients who are currently receiving opioid pain medications, have physical opioid dependence, or are experiencing acute opioid withdrawal.
The FDA prescribing information recommends an opioid-free period of at least 7 to 10 days before starting Vivitrol to reduce the risk of sudden opioid withdrawal. Some patients transitioning from certain opioid medications may remain vulnerable for longer.
Before considering Vivitrol, tell your healthcare provider about all prescription medications, over-the-counter products, supplements, and substances you use, particularly anything that may contain opioids.
Understanding Vivitrol side effects is an important part of making an informed treatment decision.
In clinical studies involving people treated for alcohol dependence, commonly reported adverse reactions included:
Vivitrol also carries important safety warnings. Serious risks can include severe injection-site reactions, sudden opioid withdrawal, liver injury or hepatitis, depression or suicidal thinking, allergic reactions including anaphylaxis, eosinophilic pneumonia, and increased vulnerability to opioid overdose in certain circumstances.
People with a history of opioid use should understand that opioid tolerance may be reduced during and after Vivitrol treatment. Trying to overcome the medication’s opioid-blocking effect, missing a dose, or returning to opioid use after treatment can increase overdose risk.
The complete FDA prescribing information contains additional contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse reactions that should be reviewed with a healthcare provider.
Vivitrol is used to treat alcohol dependence, but it does not prevent or treat alcohol withdrawal.
For people who have developed physical dependence on alcohol, suddenly stopping can sometimes cause serious or life-threatening withdrawal. Symptoms may include shakiness, sweating, nausea, sleep problems, a racing heart, or seizures. The NIAAA overview of alcohol use disorder provides additional information about withdrawal symptoms and alcohol-related treatment.
If you are concerned that stopping alcohol may cause withdrawal, seek medical guidance rather than trying to manage severe symptoms on your own.
Medication is one of several evidence-based approaches to alcohol use disorder. NIAAA identifies naltrexone, including extended-release injectable naltrexone, among the FDA-approved medications available for AUD.
Naltrexone may help reduce the urge to drink and reduce alcohol consumption for some patients. Response varies, and no medication works the same way for everyone. NIAAA’s evidence-based treatment guidance explains that treatment may include medication, behavioral healthcare, mutual support, or a combination based on individual needs.
Vivitrol is designed to be one component of comprehensive care rather than a standalone cure for alcohol use disorder.
Recovery is personal. Some people benefit from medication, some from behavioral treatment or recovery support, and others from a combination of approaches.
Vivitrol may help manage alcohol cravings for some people while they work toward broader recovery goals. We approach medication as one potential part of structured, individualized care, not as a guarantee of sobriety or a replacement for ongoing support.
Our team can help you discuss whether Vivitrol may be appropriate based on your individual circumstances.
Vivitrol blocks opioid receptors and is contraindicated for patients who are currently receiving opioid analgesics, have physical opioid dependence, or are experiencing acute opioid withdrawal. Tell your healthcare provider about any recent or current opioid use before starting treatment.
We offer Vivitrol treatment at our three Allevate locations in Massachusetts and New Jersey.
Vivitrol treatment is available through our Franklin, MA location.
Vivitrol treatment is available through our Middletown Township, NJ location.
Vivitrol treatment is available through our Princeton, NJ location.
This page is for educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Vivitrol is a prescription medication with important contraindications, warnings, and potential adverse effects. A qualified healthcare professional should determine whether it is appropriate for you.
Severe alcohol withdrawal or other life-threatening symptoms require emergency medical care. Call 911 for an emergency. If you or someone else is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, call or text 988 or visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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