Table of Contents
- What Is Vivitrol?
- How Is Vivitrol Used for Alcohol Dependence?
- Does Vivitrol Block Alcohol?
- How Effective Is Vivitrol for Alcohol Dependence?
- What Are the Side Effects of Vivitrol?
- Who Should Not Take Vivitrol for Alcohol Use Disorder?
- What Happens When You Stop Taking Vivitrol?
- Vivitrol for Alcohol Dependence: What Other Treatments Are Available?
Alcohol cravings can make recovery challenging. Medication may help some people reduce heavy drinking as part of a broader treatment plan.
Vivitrol is a prescription medication containing extended-release naltrexone. It affects brain pathways associated with alcohol’s rewarding effects, but it does not make drinking impossible or replace professional care. Learn more about alcohol-related problems in our guide to alcohol addiction treatment in Los Angeles.
What Is Vivitrol?
Vivitrol is the brand name for extended-release injectable naltrexone. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat alcohol dependence and to prevent relapse to opioid dependence after opioid detoxification.
Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors in the brain’s reward system for alcohol use disorder (AUD). This can make drinking less rewarding and help to cut cravings in some people. Vivitrol is given by a health care professional as a deep injection into the buttock, as opposed to the oral naltrexone that is usually taken once a day.
How Is Vivitrol Used for Alcohol Dependence?
Clinicians might consider Vivitrol for adults who want to cut down heavy drinking or maintain recovery. Before prescribing it, the clinician should check the person’s medical history, current medications, alcohol use, liver health, and treatment goals.
Vivitrol does not treat acute alcohol withdrawal. A person who has been drinking heavily may need urgent medical assessment if they suddenly start shaking, sweating, vomiting, become confused, or have seizures. People seeking alcohol detox in Los Angeles should be assessed to determine the safest level of care.
Vivitrol also blocks opioid effects. People taking opioid pain medication or experiencing opioid dependence must tell their clinician, because starting treatment too soon can trigger severe withdrawal. An opioid-free period of at least 7–10 days is generally recommended before treatment.
Does Vivitrol Block Alcohol?
No. Vivitrol does not block the effects of alcohol or prevent intoxication. It stops the cravings and the good feelings that drinking causes, but alcohol can still get into the bloodstream and affect the brain and body.
Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors that participate in reward pathways. Alcohol activates these pathways indirectly, and this increases the urge to drink. Vivitrol may help a person resist cravings or cut down on heavy drinking episodes by blunting some of the rewarding response.
But Vivitrol won’t stop a person from getting drunk. Alcohol can affect coordination, judgment, and reaction time, and too much alcohol can still lead to alcohol poisoning or other serious complications. The drug does not give you the right to drink and get high.
How Effective Is Vivitrol for Alcohol Dependence?
Vivitrol can work for some people, but not for others. Some patients in clinical trials have shown a reduction in the number of days they engaged in heavy drinking when taking extended-release naltrexone plus psychosocial support. It doesn’t guarantee abstinence and may be less helpful for some people than others.
Counseling and relapse prevention planning can help people identify triggers and learn to cope with cravings. Treatment can also involve peer support and structured out-patient and residential care, depending on the person’s needs.
What Are the Side Effects of Vivitrol?
Vivitrol can cause side effects. Not everyone will get serious side effects. Typical effects include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache or dizziness
- Tiredness or sleepiness
- Reduced appetite
- Muscle cramps or joint discomfort
- Pain, swelling, itching, or other reactions at the injection site
Injection-site reactions can occasionally be severe. Seek medical attention for worsening pain, significant swelling, skin changes, or signs of infection. Vivitrol can also affect the liver. People with liver disease should discuss the risks with their clinician and seek medical advice if they develop symptoms such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or persistent abdominal pain.
Mood swings, depression, or thoughts of suicide should also be taken seriously and should be reported without delay. Because Vivitrol blocks opioid effects, opioid pain medicines may not work as expected during treatment. Tell all healthcare professionals that you receive Vivitrol, especially before surgery or emergency pain management.
For complete safety information, review the FDA-approved Vivitrol prescribing information.
Who Should Not Take Vivitrol for Alcohol Use Disorder?
Vivitrol is not appropriate for everyone. It must not be used by people currently taking opioid pain medicines, those with current physiological opioid dependence or acute opioid withdrawal, or people who have had certain serious allergic reactions to the medication.
Tell the prescriber about all medications and supplements, including cough or pain products that may contain opioids. Starting Vivitrol before opioids have cleared from the body can cause sudden, severe withdrawal. The clinician may recommend an opioid-free interval and other checks before treatment.
People with liver problems, kidney impairment, bleeding disorders, or previous serious injection reactions should discuss individual risks with a clinician. Vivitrol is not a substitute for medically supervised alcohol withdrawal treatment.
What Happens When You Stop Taking Vivitrol?
The medication may wear off gradually after the last shot. The cravings or old drinking patterns can return, but not necessarily. Stopping Vivitrol does not in itself cause alcohol withdrawal, but someone who starts drinking heavily again and then stops may experience withdrawal based on their drinking history.
Vivitrol also reduces opioid tolerance. After treatment ends, returning to previously tolerated opioid doses can increase overdose risk. Trying to overcome the medication’s opioid blockade while it is active can also be dangerous. Discuss overdose prevention and any future pain-management needs with a clinician.
Vivitrol for Alcohol Dependence: What Other Treatments Are Available?
Alcohol use disorder is treated with Vivitrol, among other options. The best choice depends on a person’s health, symptoms, goals, and support needs. Many other treatment approaches include oral naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram, behavioral therapy, peer support, and rehabilitation programs
People who need a structured treatment environment may explore our luxury rehab in Los Angeles. The right program should be selected according to clinical needs, treatment quality, and the level of support required.
Ready to take the first step toward recovery? Call us 24/7 at +1-805-888-8000 or submit our online contact form to speak with our team.
Reference
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025). Vivitrol (naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension): Prescribing information. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/021897s061lbl.pdf
