Naltrexone tablets. Price, instruction, reviews

Naltrexone is a popular potent drug that helps remove toxic components from the body in patients taking alcoholic beverages or drugs. The medication is available in tablets, improves the general condition, prevents toxic damage to internal organs and the development of severe complications. The price of the drug is high, but it is justified by its high efficiency.

Release form

The medicine is produced in the form of tablets, which are intended for oral administration. On pharmacy shelves, you can also find capsules that are consumed orally, but more often it is the tablet form that is used.

The tablets are small and flat-cylindrical, white or almost white, placed in standard plastic plates. Each plate can contain 10 tablets. It is placed in a small cardboard box, in which you can also find a description indicating the features of therapy, possible complications and contraindications for the appointment. A solution for parenteral administration is also available, but it is usually used in a hospital.

Composition of the preparation

The drug contains the ingredient naltrexone hydrochloride, which provides a therapeutic effect on the body.

The tablets contain auxiliary ingredients:

• Talc.
• Starch.
• Povidone.
• Lactose as monohydrate.
• Crospovidone.
• Magnesium stearate.
• Silica.

The dosage of the active ingredient per 1 tablet is 50 mg. Excipients do not have medicinal properties.

Pharmacological properties

Naltrexone in tablets (the price of the product depends on the amount in the package) has antitoxic properties. The drug belongs to opioid receptor antagonists, that is, it helps to reduce the negative effects of toxic substances on the body.

When using it, the manifestations of intoxication, provoked by the poisoning of the body with various substances, are eliminated. The effect of naltrexone is manifested for a long time and is more pronounced than the effect of some other drugs with similar properties. The complex effect of the drug on the body is manifested with prolonged use and the absence of a constant intake of toxins.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

The drug is not fast acting. When used in the form of tablets, the film shell dissolves and the substance spreads through the systemic circulation. The ingredient helps to cleanse tissues and blood from toxic substances, which has a positive effect on the general condition of patients, even with prolonged poisoning.

Another effect of the drug on the patient's body is noted:

• Resistance to alcoholic beverages increases, and the patient's need for them decreases. In the case of a full-fledged therapeutic course, the patient's condition improves significantly, and the amount of alcohol consumed gradually decreases.
• Reduces the likelihood of relapse in patients with alcohol and drug addiction. When using the drug, the recovery period is somewhat reduced, patients have no complications from the internal organs.
• Accelerates the process of freeing the body from the decay products of ethyl alcohol and narcotic substances. The medicine stimulates the liver and helps to reduce the negative effects of toxins on the cells of the organ. If patients have liver pathologies, the process slows down somewhat, but the drug makes it easier.
• If it is necessary to prescribe narcotic drugs, the simultaneous use of Naltrexone is recommended, which prevents patients from developing dependence on such drugs.

The drug is well and quickly absorbed in the patient's digestive tract by about 96%. This explains the high efficiency for patients. The first result is noticeable in 1-2 hours after ingestion, but the maximum concentration of the ingredient is reached in 30-50 minutes.

Experts note that the rate at which the maximum concentration of an ingredient in the blood is reached depends on the dosage taken, the duration of use and the individual characteristics of the patient's body. The substance penetrates well through the histohematogenous barriers, despite the fact that binding to plasma proteins occurs by 21%.

Approximately 98% of the component is processed in the patient's liver, forming metabolites. When used in short courses at a medium or high dosage, there is a slight accumulation of the ingredient in the body. If the medicine is used for long courses, but the dosage is average and minimal, the accumulation of the substance does not occur.

The main amount of metabolites is evacuated by the kidneys, but an insignificant part is excreted with feces. Within 1-2 days, the body is completely cleansed of the decay products of the drug.

Indications for use

Naltrexone is prescribed to patients in tablets and capsules. The high price of the product is justified by its effectiveness and reduced risk of complications.

The main indications for the use of the medication:

• Chronic alcoholism in patients of different ages. Often, the remedy is used to eliminate the symptoms of withdrawal symptoms, as well as to prevent repeated relapse in patients who have been suffering from the disease for a long time and have deviations from the internal organs.
• Drug addiction at different stages of development. The drug can be used in the acute period or for the prevention of relapses in patients with a tendency to them. The medicine improves the condition, facilitates the process of withdrawal from drugs. But in the acute phase, when the patient is still using substances, the medicine is not used.
• Supportive treatment for patients who do not suffer from acute alcohol or drug dependence. The drug is prescribed in combination with other medicines to increase the effectiveness of therapy.

The drug is often prescribed in the absence of severe symptoms, but the patient has a history of dependence on alcoholic beverages or opioid drugs. Prophylaxis courses usually last for a short period of time.

Contraindications

Naltrexone in tablets (the price of the product differs in different pharmacies) and capsules are not prescribed patients when diagnosed with intolerance to its ingredients and a tendency to such reactions in anamnesis.

Other barriers to therapy include:

• Acute stage of drug addiction. Despite the fact that the drug improves the condition of patients and helps fight addiction, in the acute period it can provoke complications.
• A severe course of liver failure, accompanied by a disruption in the functioning of the organ and the appearance of complications from other parts of the digestive system.
• Acute viral liver damage. The drug can aggravate the course of the disease and significantly worsen the patient's condition.
• Internal bleeding, the development of which occurs as a result of damage to the intestinal mucosa or stomach. The medicine can be prescribed only after the elimination of acute symptoms.
• Renal failure in acute and chronic form. Violation of the functioning of the organ leads to a deterioration in the excretion of the decay products of the active substance, which can provoke additional disturbances. If necessary, tablets can be prescribed in case of a mild stage of a pathological condition.
• Severe blood diseases occurring against the background of dysfunction of the bone marrow.
• The period of lactation and bearing of the child. Experts have revealed the ability of the main ingredient to have a teratogenic effect on the body, that is, to disrupt the child's development process. It is possible to use only when the potential benefit is higher than the likely risk. A certain amount of the main substance is found in breast milk. That is why, if it is necessary to use it, it is better to stop feeding for the entire period of therapy.
• The patient's age is up to 18 years. There is no data on the effect of the substance on the body of children and adolescents. Application for such patients is usually not required, but if necessary, safer drugs with similar properties are selected.
• Acute period in violation of cerebral circulation or myocardial infarction. The drug can be prescribed after normalization of the condition.

The medicine is used with caution in the treatment of patients with chronic heart and vascular pathologies, brain damage and mental disorders. In each case, patients may have individual contraindications, determined during examination and questioning.

Instructions for use, dosage

After examining the patient and determining the specific symptoms of the disease, the dosage of the agent is prescribed. It is preliminarily recommended to make a special test that determines the body's reaction to the action of the medication.

For the sample, they do not take a tablet form, but a solution, which in a minimum amount is injected intravenously slowly. If there are no negative reactions within 20-30 minutes, the patient is given a dose that is 2 times more than the previous norm. Only after this is it allowed to prescribe pills. The dose is determined depending on the patient's condition.

Alcoholism treatment

After the test and in the absence of acute symptoms in the patient, an initial dosage of 25 mg is prescribed. It is taken once a day, after which the patient's condition is monitored. The absence of negative reactions is the reason for continuing treatment. The next day, the drug is taken 1 time per day at a dose of 50 mg.

The minimum duration of a therapeutic course is 3 months, but the doctor can individually change the duration of therapy. The dose is usually not changed, this is enough to obtain a therapeutic effect. For some patients, the course is extended if the need arises.

A prerequisite for therapy is the appointment of additional medications, the action of which is aimed at eliminating alcohol dependence.

Drug addiction treatment

Naltrexone in tablets, the price of which may be higher when purchasing a large package, is prescribed for drug addiction according to different schemes, depending on the patient's condition. The standard method involves taking the drug in a dosage of 25 mg on the first day of therapy. If there are no negative reactions, the dosage is increased to 50 mg the next day.

They take the medicine once a day for 2-4 months, depending on the severity of the manifestations. In some cases, it is allowed to take the drug once every 2 days, but the dosage is 100 mg per dose.

Sometimes an individual regimen is used for patients, which involves taking 1 time in 3 days at a dosage of 150 mg. If it is necessary to carry out maintenance therapy, a daily intake of 50 mg of the drug is prescribed for 4-8 weeks. Correction of the duration of use is carried out after examining the patient.

Side effects

The drug often provokes negative reactions, even if all the doctor's recommendations are followed. Complications affect the work of internal organs and systems, can significantly worsen the condition of patients.

Damage area	Frequent negative reactions
Nervous system	The nervous system suffers quite often during therapy. Patients may notice increased nervousness and anxiety, weakness and fatigue. With prolonged therapy, patients' performance decreases, both mental and physical, there is a deterioration in concentration of attention and memory, photophobia, hallucinations, migraine.
Respiratory system	During therapy, disorders of the respiratory system may appear in the form of shortness of breath, cough and hoarseness. The condition is aggravated if patients have chronic complications, for example, bronchial asthma.
Digestive tract	Digestive disorders are also common. Patients report severe abdominal pain, nausea, lack of appetite and indigestion. In a laboratory study of blood, an increase in the activity of hepatic enzymes is observed, as well as a deterioration in the work of the pancreas.
Heart and blood vessels	During therapy, blood pressure may increase, chest pain appears. Vessels do not suffer so often, but sometimes acute phlebitis is observed.
Musculoskeletal system	Pain in the back and joint joints is observed quite often during therapy. Often, patients notice a deterioration in the condition of the muscles, accompanied by pain and stiffness of movements.
urinary system	When taking pills, a decrease in libido, sexual dysfunction, as well as increased urination and discomfort during emptying are possible.
Sense organs	On the part of the sense organs, disorders do not occur so often. Sometimes patients develop symptoms of conjunctivitis, accompanied by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes, lacrimation and swelling.

Allergic manifestations often affect the skin and mucous membranes. Patients talk about the appearance of a rash, irritation. In this case, the rash is papular, atypical for allergies. The condition is aggravated in the absence of therapy, often the symptoms spread to large areas skin, itching worsens the general condition and leads to damage to the outer layer of the skin when combing.

Overdose

Naltrexone in tablets (the price of the drug in most cases is justified by its effectiveness) leads to the development of an overdose when using an increased dose for a long period of time. The disorders develop despite the fact that the drug is considered relatively safe for patients.

In case of an overdose, all negative reactions are aggravated, repeated vomiting during the day joins. In a severe overdose, the patient's consciousness is disturbed, which requires immediate specialist assistance.

If signs of an overdose appear, the patient is prescribed symptomatic treatment, since the drug does not have a specific antidote. Depending on the manifestations, the therapy regimen may differ, since there is no standard method used for all patients. It is forbidden to ignore the symptoms of an overdose, as well as to use any medications without a doctor's prescription.

special instructions

The drug is used only 7-10 days after refusal to take alcoholic beverages or drugs. If the patient still has pronounced symptoms of withdrawal symptoms, the doctor individually decides on the appointment of the medication after the examination.

Therapy over a long period requires medical supervision. Most often, the patient spends the first few weeks in a hospital. In the initial stages, doctors do not use tablets, but prescribe a solution. This is especially necessary when the patient, for whatever reason, cannot take pills.

Negative reactions are not always considered a reason for refusing therapy. After examination, the doctor determines the need to stop treatment or prescribe another medication. It is strictly forbidden to independently change the dosage or duration of the therapeutic course.

Drug interactions

Some cold and pain medications are used with caution with Naltrexone, as the drug reduces their effectiveness. Antitussives can also be weakened.

Do not prescribe pills in combination with hepatotoxic drugs, as this increases the risk of severe damage to liver cells. The use of a medication with similar products is not allowed. The decision on the appointment of drugs from different groups is made by the doctor based on the examination data.

Analogs

The drug has few substitutes with similar properties.

Most often, patients are prescribed the following medications:

• Vivitrol also contains naltrexone as the main active ingredient. The medication is available in the form of a powder used to obtain a solution that is administered intramuscularly. Unlike the original, the analogue has prolonged properties and can be used for severe pathology.
• Naloxone contains the active ingredient of the same name, but has the same properties as the original. It is noted that the effectiveness of the substitute is somewhat lower, but if it is impossible to use the original, it can be prescribed to patients for long courses.

Analogues are selected only by a doctor after a preliminary examination and questioning. It is forbidden to use them on your own, even if the patient has previously used them, and negative reactions have not developed.

Terms, conditions of sale and storage

The drug is dispensed in pharmacies only after presentation of a certified prescription form from a doctor.

During storage, it is important to exclude contact with water or sunlight. The maximum storage time is 3 years. After the expiration of this period, it is prohibited to use the medicine.

Price

The cost of a medicine in different pharmacies ranges from 700-1600 rubles. depending on the number of tablets in the package. Naltrexone is a popular drug for the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction. The drug in tablets is prescribed in long courses, often combined with drugs from different groups. The price of the drug differs taking into account the region of distribution and its quantity in the package.

Video about the drug Naltrexone

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