Naltrexone Injections

[djmac]

my wife works at a substance abuse facility and they are using naltrexonemore and more frequently. she is concerned about the large dose that is injected in a single injection. has anyone observed any adverse effects from the injection? [color=#333333]

[Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN]

My wife works at a substance abuse facility and they are using naltrexonemore and more frequently. She is concerned about the large dose that is injected in a single injection. Has anyone observed any adverse effects from the injection?

Other than immediate withdrawal and the fact that the narcan needs to be repeated every few minutes due to its short half life - and all the puking and cursing that comes from the patient when it's given, I don't understand where the concern is coming from - or why your wife isn't asking this question when she gets an order that she feels uncomfortable with.

As long as the dose is within established parameters from the label - or the doc has a solid rationale (evidence based), I'd question before giving any med.

Blee

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

I have never given Vivitrol, but the large dose compared to the oral form is due to the fact that it is a depot preparation. The advantage to this is that the patient only has to come in once a month for their injection, as opposed to taking a daily tablet.

As with any medication, there are predictable side effects and potential adverse effects. It comes down to a matter of the risks versus the benefits. What is more likely to do the most harm to the patient, long term alcoholism or opioid dependence, or the side effects of this medication?

[shrinkyrn]

I have concerns about giving so much in 1 injection....it's 4.2 ml.....the drug rep I talked to said, well it's in water not in an oil suspension so it shouldn't be any big deal.....I wouldn't want 4.2ml injected in my rear end.....according to the literature between 53% and 65% of recipients had ISR (injection site reactions) that's a pretty high percentage IMHO....