Vivitrol Complications: Identifying Them and Strategies for Management
News Article: Understanding Vivitrol: A Long-Acting Treatment for Alcohol and Opioid Dependence
Vivitrol, a brand-name prescription medication, is used to treat alcohol and opioid dependence. The active ingredient in Vivitrol is naltrexone, an opioid antagonist that works by blocking the effects of opioids in the brain.
Vivitrol is administered as a long-acting injection by a healthcare professional, and its effects can last for at least a month. The medication is part of a complete treatment program that includes counseling or other types of therapy and support.
Detection of Liver Damage
Liver damage can be detected with blood tests called liver function tests (LFTs). While liver damage was not common in clinical trials, it can occur during Vivitrol treatment. Symptoms of liver damage may include fatigue, pain in the upper right abdomen, dark-colored urine, bruising or bleeding easily, jaundice, itching, and heavy alcohol consumption can also cause liver damage. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to seek medical attention.
Potential Side Effects
Like most drugs, Vivitrol can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include skin rash, itching, flushing, swelling under the skin, swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe. If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are serious and you think you're having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Mild side effects that have been reported with Vivitrol include headache, dizziness or fainting, reduced appetite, insomnia, the common cold or flu, increased blood pressure, toothache, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, joint pain or stiffness, muscle cramps, anxiety, weakness or fatigue, sleepiness, mild injection site reaction, and weight gain.
Serious Side Effects
The serious side effects associated with Vivitrol treatment include severe liver damage, injection site reactions, mental health effects, precipitated opioid withdrawal, risk of overdose upon relapse, allergic pneumonia, and pneumonia due to allergic reaction.
If you have nausea that's bothersome after receiving Vivitrol, talk with your doctor. Patients are advised to immediately stop Vivitrol and seek medical care if they develop abdominal pain lasting several days, yellowing of eyes or skin, white stools, or dark urine as signs of liver injury. Mental health symptoms such as new or worsening depression and suicidal ideation also require urgent evaluation.
Because of these risks, Vivitrol must be administered under medical supervision with careful patient screening, monitoring of liver function, and education about the risks of opioid overdose after treatment.
Weight Changes During Treatment
Weight gain may occur during Vivitrol treatment, and both weight gain and weight loss were reported in clinical trials. If you're concerned about gaining or losing weight during Vivitrol treatment, talk with your doctor.
In conclusion, Vivitrol is a long-acting injection that can help manage alcohol and opioid dependence. However, it's important to be aware of the potential side effects and risks associated with its use. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalised advice and guidance.
- The active ingredient in Vivitrol, naltrexone, not only blocks the effects of opioids in the brain but can also cause an allergic reaction with symptoms such as skin rash, itching, and swelling.
- Mental health effects like new or worsening depression and suicidal ideation are potential serious side effects of Vivitrol treatment, and require urgent evaluation.
- Properly managing health-and-wellness, including fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, skin-care, nutrition, and addressing any medical-conditions, is crucial during Vivitrol treatment.
- Liver damage is a possibility during Vivitrol treatment, and symptoms such as fatigue, yellowing of eyes or skin, and dark urine indicate liver injury which requires immediate medical attention.
- In addition to its use in treating alcohol and opioid dependence, Vivitrol has been occasionally linked with causing weight changes, both gain and loss, during treatment.
