Discussing Naltrexone Treatment
Bring this discussion guide to the clinician who may prescribe naltrexone. Use it to compare the plan for alcohol or opioid use disorder, confirm the formulation, and prepare for safe starting and follow-up.
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No email or account is required. Use the PDF or printed spaces for private notes. This guide does not collect worksheet answers. Save and reopen a completed PDF to check your notes.
What the medicine does
Naltrexone blocks opioid effects and can reduce alcohol cravings. It comes as oral tablets; extended-release naltrexone is also given by a healthcare professional as a monthly injection. Medication is used with other recovery support. It does not treat alcohol or opioid withdrawal.
Starting requires a personal plan
Recent opioid exposure can cause naltrexone to trigger sudden, severe withdrawal, including when it is prescribed for alcohol problems. Tell the clinician about opioid pain, cough or diarrhea medicines; nonprescribed opioids; and methadone or buprenorphine. Do not stop prescribed treatment to make yourself ready without a coordinated plan.
Sources: [2]
Plan for pain, missed treatment and side effects
Decisions to make with the team
- Tell medical and dental professionals you take naltrexone before treatment; carry medicine identification. Opioid pain medicines may not work as expected.
- Do not try to overcome opioid blocking by taking larger opioid amounts. This can cause fatal overdose.
- After an injection wears off, is missed or treatment ends, reduced opioid tolerance increases overdose risk. Ask about naloxone and how to recognize an overdose.
- For the injection, promptly report severe pain, substantial swelling, blistering or an open wound at the injection site. For either formulation, promptly report yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or significant abdominal pain.
My discussion and follow-up notes
- My goal and formulation
- Alcohol or opioid-related goal; oral tablet or injection; benefits and alternatives discussed.
- What fits my routine and preferences
- Tablet routine or injection visits, travel, costs/coverage, concerns and my preference after discussion.
- Recent substances and medicines to review privately
- Names, last use, current symptoms and relevant liver/other health history. Bring the actual medicine list.
- Clinician’s starting plan
- Assessment or tests, starting instructions and who confirms readiness; do not use this field as self-clearance.
- Ongoing schedule and missed-dose contact
- Refill or injection date, clinic number and the instructions provided for an interruption.
- Pain care and urgent symptoms
- How to alert other clinicians, where medicine identification is kept, and who to call.
- Overdose-response plan
- Naloxone access and training, chosen support person, and next appointment.
Keep completed notes private. Share only what you choose with the people helping you. These are original educational and planning prompts, not a validated assessment.