Vivitrol Overdose Symptoms and Treatment
Vivitrol is a preparation of naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist. It is a timed-release injectable formula that is similar to Relistor. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2006 under the name Vivitrex, but it was shortly changed to Vivitrol.
Medical Use
“The other side effects of Vivitrol are rare in therapeutic dosages.”
Vivitrol is most often used to treat alcohol and opioid dependence, and it is commonly used in drug treatment centers. The standard dose for these purposes is 380 mg once per month, and a healthcare professional must inject this dosage into the patient’s muscle. Vivitrol is a highly effective treatment that reduces the patient’s alcohol consumption.
The therapeutic use of a Vivitrol routine can cause nausea, which usually goes away after a few days. The other side effects of Vivitrol are rare in therapeutic dosages. The only significant drug interactions are those with opioid pain relievers.
Did You Know?
Vivitrol may be used to treat depersonalization disorder. It is also being studied as a treatment for compulsive behaviors, such as self-injurious behaviors and pornography addiction.
Overdose Symptoms
The most common signs of an overdose on Vivitrol include gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal cramps and diarrhea. It also causes liver damage in rare cases. The most severe risk is liver damage, so the liver is periodically monitored during treatment. A study of obese patients who received 300 mg of Vivitrol per month showed a statistically significant increase in their rate of liver toxicity. Find out more about Vivitrol overdose symptoms and addiction treatment by calling us today at .
Vivitrol should not be administered until the patient has abstained from opioids for at least one week. It will displace most opioids from their respective receptors, which can cause the following Vivitrol overdose symptoms:
- Cramps
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Involuntary
- Itch
- Muscle pain
- Muscle tremors
- Perspiration
- Rapid heart beat
- Runny nose
- Vomiting
The psychological Vitriol overdose symptoms are as follows:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Malaise
- Paranoia
Rapid Detox
“This use of Vivitrol is effective in removing the patient’s physical dependence, but it remains controversial.”
Withdrawal symptoms can be severe, which can interfere with the recovery process. Vivitrol is often used as a rapid detox treatment for alcohol and opioid dependence. The patient receives an injection of Vivitrol in addition to a sedative or general anesthesia. This approach minimizes the withdrawal period to as little as two hours. The patient then receives Vivitrol once a month for at least one year to prevent relapses.
This use of Vivitrol is effective in removing the patient’s physical dependence, but it remains controversial. It can lead the patient into believing that their addiction is cured, rather than viewing recovery as a continuing process. Rapid detox with Vivitrol can also be dangerous, since the patient experiences withdrawal while under general anesthesia. This procedure is also more expensive than traditional detox treatment. Contact our caring representatives at to get more information on Vivitrol overdose treatment.
Traditional Detox
Traditional detox program involves gradually reducing the dosage of opiates over time until the patient is no longer dependent upon them. Withdrawal symptoms for this treatment can last up to one week, after which the patient can begin receiving Vivitrol injections. This treatment is typically performed on an inpatient basis, where the patient can’t easily obtain opiates. An inpatient setting also allows staff members to monitor the patient in case the withdrawal symptoms become life-threatening.
If you’d like help finding a Vivitrol detox and addiction treatment center in your area, call us at for more information. We can help you get the treatment you need before Vivitrol overdose occurs.