Naltrexone maintenance

Naltrexone is a total antagonist of all types of opiate receptors in the human body. Having a strong chemical affinity for opiate receptors, Naltrexone closes them to heroin, methadone, tramadol, buprenorphine, morphine sulfate, etc. The secondary working of Naltrexone maintenance would be to decrease cravings for drugs and alcohol.

How much does Naltrexone cost?

How Does Naltrexone Work?

Naltrexone has several positive effects:

1. Naltrexone protects all opioid receptors, not allowing opiate drug molecules to reach them, which prevents progress of addiction or relapse.
2. It “reminds” patients that opiates can not give them high any longer and therefore using them becomes meaningless. Naltrexone induces more tranquility, self confidence, eliminates cravings and nervous tension, significantly reduces psychological dependence on opiate drugs.
3. This medication stimulates regeneration of one’s own inner “pleasure system” and release of endorphins – natural hormones of well-being, as well as renewal of receptors. The process of emotional recovery is quicker due to Naltrexone.
4. Naltrexone reduces the degree of intoxication and interest in alcohol, cocaine, cannabis and other psychoactive substances. The FDA has approved Naltrexone for the treatment of alcohol addiction. There are scientific studies that show that Naltrexone helps in controlling behavioral addictions such as gambling and shopping addiction.
5.  It improves immune system. It is highly desirable to strengthen immune system after detoxification from heroin. Naltrexone is used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. Its application has also been started in oncology centers.

Naltrexone maintenance vs. substitution program with Methadone, Suboxone, Substitol, etc.

• Enables return to a clean life without heroin and synthetic opioid drugs
• Promotes rehabilitation of brain’s endorphin system, ie. secretion of one’s own well-being hormones
• Not addictive, there is no withdrawal symptoms with discontinuation of the Naltrexone application, no psychoactive effects
  

  Naltrexone maintenance limitations:

• Requires a patient’s responsible decision to maintain abstinence
• Health insurance doesn’t cover Naltrexone maintenance (see prices for heroin blockers)

Indications for Naltrexone maintenance:

1. Prevention of the initiation of opiate drugs abuse and heroin addiction forming in the “risk-days” (parties, clubs, holidays with friends, etc..)
2. Prevention of relapse with drug addiction or alcohol abuse in the post-detoxification period
3. Maintenance of abstinence and improvement of the quality of life in the treatment of opiate addiction
4. Urgent help with heroin overdose

Contraindications for Naltrexone maintenance:

Acute hepatitis and liver damage prevent burdening of this vital organ with medication, including Naltrexone. To avoid complications in such cases, it is necessary to avoid the application of anti-opiate blockers. Therefore, it is necessary to do the biochemical analyses of bilirubin and aminotransferases blood levels two weeks prior to the planned introduction of Naltrexone maintenance.

Allergic reactions to Naltrexone are extremely rare. In about 5% -8% there is an allergic reaction to magnesium stearate or other supporting components of Naltrexone implants. The reaction is treatable, but instead of continuing the implant treatment, the patient gets Naltrexone injection or pills. At any rate, anti-opiate protection continues.

Important notice:

•  It is necessary for the body to be drugs free, and to conduct tests to support this. The reason for that is if a person takes the blocker while there are still drug molecules present in the body, serious opiate withdrawals may occur.
• Use of opiates and opioids during Naltrexone maintenance is categorically prohibited because of high risk of sudden overdose!
•  Opioid analgesics do not work when people take opioid receptor antagonist. This means that anesthesia for surgical interventions in medical emergencies must be conducted using non-opioid analgesics. In such situations, physicians should be informed about the application of Naltrexone. For these purposes a patient should keep a document on Naltrexone maintenance for ”emergency cases“ in his wallet.