Vivitrol (Naltrexone) is a once monthly injectable medication used to treat alcohol and opioid addiction. It works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, without containing any opioids itself. Vivitrol is recommended for at least 6-12 months of treatment and works best when combined with therapy and support groups. It is covered by Medicaid and Medicare, with private insurance offering co-pay assistance. Side effects can include reactions at the injection site as well as depression and thoughts of suicide.

1. VIVITROL(Naltrexone)
By: Jessica Klatt, Carol Murray and Mikaela Backus

2. Facts for VIVITROL
 Blocks opiate receptors, no opiate in medication
 Can be used for both alcohol and opiates
 Once monthly injection
 Works best in combination with therapy and support agencies ( AA, NA, etc.)
 This treatment is recommended for at least 6 months to a year
 Covered by Medicaid
 Covered by Medicare
 For private insurance offers co-pay assistance up to $500 per month
 No PAP’s
 Any doctor can prescribe, no special license necessary

3. Naltrexone is the generic name for Vivitrol.
Vivitrol is used for alcohol and opiate
addiction. It is used to block opiate receptors
however no opiate is in the medication. It is
a once a month injection that helps treat the
cravings of alcohol and opiates.

4. Vivitrol works best with the combination of
therapy and support group agencies such as
AA, NA and others. This treatment is
recommended for at least six months to a
year. This treatment is covered by Medicaid
100% and by Medicare 80%. However for
private insurance offers co-pay assistance up
to $500 per month.

5. Vivitrol is a once- monthly injectable
medication(injected in the hip area)
approved for the prevention of relapse to
opioid dependence following opioid
detoxification. As well as the treatment of
alcohol dependence in patients who are able
to abstain from alcohol in an outpatient
setting prior to initiation treatment with
VIVITROL.

6. “Comprehensive treatment should be
targeted in 2 regions of the brain that are
affected by addiction, the cortex is a target
for counseling and the limbic region is a
target for medication”(What is VIVITROL?).
The role for the cortex is for decision
making, thinking, reasoning, learning, and
will power. The Limbic region roles are basic
drives and euphoria.

7. Vivitrol is the first and only once a month,
nonaddictive, nonnarcotic medication
approved to prevent relapse to opioid
dependence. Vivitrol does not replace or act
as a substitute for opioids or alcohol. It is
also not pleasure producing or addictive.

8. VIVITROL blocks beta-endorphins from
attaching to receptors in the brain.

10. Vivitrol, when added to counseling offers
patients a better chance for recovery than
counseling alone. Counseling may provide
relapse prevention, recovery skills and self-
acceptance.

11. Vivitrol can cause some serious side effects
such as severe reaction at the site of
injection, risk of opioid overdose, serious
allergic reactions, liver damage or hepatitis,
and severe allergic pneumonia. Vivitrol can
cause a serious side effect of depressed
mood. Sometimes this leads to suicide,
suicidal thoughts and suicidal behavior.

13. Vivitrol is given as an intramuscular injection
in your buttocks. It is injected by your doctor
every four weeks or once a month. Because
Vivitrol is an injection, once it is injected it
cannot be removed from your body. If you
miss an appointment for your injection
schedule one as soon as possible.

14. Some people on this treatment have had
some severe reactions at the site of
injection, including tissue death. Some of the
reactions at the site of injection are intense
pain, large area of swelling blisters, dark
scabs, the area around site feels hard, lumps
and an open wound.

15. “Vivitrol blocks the effect of opioid-containing
medicines. You may be more sensitive to lower
doses of opioids after Vivitrol treatments stop,
when your next Vivitrol dose is due or if you muss a
dose of Vivitrol. Using opioids in amounts that you
used before treatment with Vivitrol can lead to
overdose and death” (VIVITROL Important Safety
Information).

16. So, overall, Vivitrol (Naltrexone), can help with alcohol and
opioid addiction. It works best when paired with therapies
and support groups. There are many side effects and risk
that go along with it and is still newer to the world of drug
treatments

17. Work Cited
 "Naltrexone(Vivitrol) Interview." Personal interview. 4 Apr. 2015
 Alkermes. Understanding Alcohol Dependence, the Brain and VIVIROL. 2011.
 What Is Vivitrol? N.p.: Alkermes, n.d. Print.