What
should my health care professional know before I take naltrexone?
They need
to know if you have any of these conditions:
•if you are
still using opiate drugs (narcotics) or alcohol
•liver disease,
including hepatitis
•kidney disease
•an unusual
or allergic reaction to naltrexone, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant
or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding
How
should I take this medicine?
Take naltrexone
tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow
the tablets with a drink of water. Take your doses at regular intervals
and with food to decrease the side effects. Do not take your medicine more
often than directed; it may be a good idea to have a family member, friend,
or nurse give you your medication regularly.
Contact your
pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine
in children. Special care may be needed.
What
if I miss a dose?
If you miss
a dose and remember on the same day, take the missed dose. If you do not
remember until the next day, ask your prescriber or health care professional
about rescheduling your doses. Do not take double or extra doses.
What
other medicines can interact with naltrexone?
•certain medicines
for mental problems and psychotic disturbances
•certain medicines
for pain (for example, medicines containing codeine or propoxyphene)
•clonidine
•disulfiram
Tell your prescriber
or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including
non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products.
Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent
user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal
drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health
care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What
side effects may I notice from taking naltrexone?
Naltrexone
causes few side effects in patients who are not taking opiate drugs. Some
of the side effects listed below can occur only if you are still taking
opiate drugs. Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or
health care professional as soon as possible:
•blurred vision
or other eye problems
•confusion
•difficult
or frequent passing of urine
•difficulty
in awaking from sleep
•earache,
ringing in the ears
•fast or pounding
heartbeat (palpitations)
•fever
•hallucinations
(seeing and hearing things that are not really there)
•mood changes
•nose bleeds
•pain, tenderness,
or color changes in the legs or feet
•shortness
of breath
•skin rash,
itching
•slowed breathing
•swelling
of the face, feet, or lower legs
•swollen glands
•weight gain
•yellow color
of your eyes or skin
Side effects
that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber
or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Rare or
uncommon, unless you are still taking narcotics:
•anxiety,
nervousness, restlessness
•chills, sore
throat
•constipation
or diarrhea
•cough, hoarseness
•increased
thirst
•irritability
•joint or
muscle pain
•loss of appetite
•runny nose,
sinus problems, sneezing
•sexual problems
in males
•stomach cramps
or pain
More common:
•anxiety
•difficulty
sleeping
•dizziness
•headache
•increased
tiredness
•nausea
•nervousness
•vomiting
What
do I need to watch for while I take naltrexone?
Report to
your prescriber or health care professional regularly. It is important
to attend any counseling or support groups that your prescriber or health
care professional recommends. Attending these sessions while you are taking
naltrexone will help you remain free of your dependence on opiate drugs
or alcohol. Never try to overcome the effects of naltrexone by taking large
amounts of narcotics because this can cause coma and death.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking naltrexone. It is a good idea to carry a card in case of emergency to alert medical personnel that you are taking naltrexone.
Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, pain or diarrhea. Ask your prescriber or health care professional for advice. Some of the ingredients may interact with naltrexone and cause side effects.
You may feel
dizzy or lightheaded. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that
needs mental alertness until you know how naltrexone affects you.
Where
can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of
the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30°C (59 and 86°F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.