Naltrexone
Naltrexone can help you lose weight by treating cravings and compulsive eating.
Although naltrexone is FDA-approved for the the treatment of alcohol and opioid dependence, it is also commonly used by obesity specialists off-label to help with weight loss by reducing cravings and compulsive eating behaviors.
Possible side effects may include:
- Nausea, dizziness, vomiting, stomach cramps, abdominal pain, headaches, and trouble sleeping
- fatigue or low energy
- difficulty sleeping
- nervousness and anxiety
- headache
- nausea or vomiting
- joint and muscle pain
- stomach cramps or pain
WARNING
DO NOT take naltrexone if you are taking ANY opioids or opiate drugs or if you are dependent on opioids or using methadone or buprenorphine, or if you are in opioid withdrawal. If you take opioids/opiates right after stopping naltrexone you may be at risk of overdose. Please talk to your provider before taking opioids/opiates after stopping naltrexone.
Before using naltrexone, tell your provider if you have:
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or impair your judgment. Please do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or perform any hazardous task until the effects of naltrexone are known to you.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you experience severe stomach or abdominal pain changes in vision, eye pain, burning or swollen eyes, chest pain, confusion, discomfort while urinating or frequent urination, fever, hallucinations or seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there, itching, mental depression or other mood or mental changes or suicidality, ringing or buzzing in the ears, shortness of breath, swelling of the face, feet, or lower legs or weight gain.
DO NOT take naltrexone if you are planning to become pregnant or if pregnant or breastfeeding.
DO NOT take naltrexone if you are taking ANY opioids or opiate drugs or if you are dependent on opioids or using methadone or buprenorphine, or if you are in opioid withdrawal. If you take opioids/opiates right after stopping naltrexone you may be at risk of overdose. Please talk to your provider before taking opioids/opiates after stopping naltrexone.
Before using naltrexone, tell your provider if you have:
- kidney disease
- liver disease (as it may cause liver dysfunction or hepatitis)
- depression/suicidality
- current or recent (7-14 days) use of any type of opioid or opiate drugs
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or impair your judgment. Please do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or perform any hazardous task until the effects of naltrexone are known to you.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you experience severe stomach or abdominal pain changes in vision, eye pain, burning or swollen eyes, chest pain, confusion, discomfort while urinating or frequent urination, fever, hallucinations or seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there, itching, mental depression or other mood or mental changes or suicidality, ringing or buzzing in the ears, shortness of breath, swelling of the face, feet, or lower legs or weight gain.
DO NOT take naltrexone if you are planning to become pregnant or if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Additional side effects include:
These symptoms may subside after the body adjusts to the medication.
- loss of appetite
- diarrhea or constipation
- increased energy
- increased thirst
- dizziness
- skin rash
- sexual problems in males
- chills
- runny nose
- irritability or feeling down
These symptoms may subside after the body adjusts to the medication.
Drug interactions
Naltrexone can interact with certain prescription and non-prescription medications and herbal products, including dextromethorphan, diarrhea medication (such as diphenoxylate), disulfiram, opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone) and thioridazine.
Please read the pharmaceutical packaging for a full list of side effects, warnings, interactions and additional information.
To report suspected adverse reactions to naltrexone contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In case of emergencies, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Naltrexone can interact with certain prescription and non-prescription medications and herbal products, including dextromethorphan, diarrhea medication (such as diphenoxylate), disulfiram, opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone) and thioridazine.
Please read the pharmaceutical packaging for a full list of side effects, warnings, interactions and additional information.
To report suspected adverse reactions to naltrexone contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In case of emergencies, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.