Naltrexone - An Alternative Choice to Methadone or Buprenorphine
When we think about maintenance medications to treat opioid addiction, we often think about buprenorphine or methadone – the two medications offered at the Morse Clinics. There is a third option – naltrexone. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, not an agonist like methadone or partial agonist like buprenorphine. It comes in three forms – a naltrexone pill (Revia), an injection every 4 weeks (Vivitrol) and a 6 month – 1 year implant from www.MyLifeRecoveryCenters.com. You have to be opioid-free for at least 5 days before starting naltrexone, as it will precipitate withdrawal. Most folks get started with during inpatient treatment or while in prison. There is no withdrawal from naltrexone if you decide to discontinue it.
The pill is the cheapest. It is generic and people usually only have generic copay. It is covered by Medicaid. With no insurance, it costs about $3 a pill. The pill comes in only one size – the 50 mg tablet. It can be cut in half. The standard dose ranges between 50-150 mg a day. It is adjustable. It can be prescribed by any physician. There is no standard of care for how often you must see your physician.
The every four week injection form of naltrexone, Vivitrol, is about $900 a month without insurance. Most insurances insist that you fail the pill before they will cover the injection, but do cover it. Medicaid covers it. It only comes in one 380 mg dose. You cannot get high for about 4 weeks after the injection. The injection can be painful. It must be injected in the buttock. It is a large bolus and requires a large needle. It can cause dimpling of the buttocks.
The naltrexone implant with www.MyLifeRecoveryCenters.com is the most expensive. It uses dissolvable beads that are implanted in your love handle. It lasts for 6 months to a year. You cannot decide to not take your medication and relapse. Your loved ones can rest assured that you will be blocked from getting high for that time.
The physicians at the Morse Clinics are always happy to go over all of your treatment options in detail. Just schedule with us!