The drug from alcohol dependence "Vivitrol": reviews of specialists and patients. Is Vivitrol medication effective?

Among the many drugs for the treatment of alcohol dependence, the drug "Vivitrol" has established itself as a reliable and effective tool. About what this medication is, what are its pharmacological properties, indications and contraindications to the use, we'll talk in this article. Also discuss the release form and other characteristics.

Vivitrol medication: formulation and storage conditions

The main active ingredient in this medication is naltrexone, the drug itself is a powder of white or light brown color, which completely and easily dissolves in the liquid. Form release of the drug - powder for the preparation of suspension for intramuscular injection, packaging - glass bottles of 5 ml, which contain 480 mg of the drug. Also in the package there is a special solvent and a set of needles. Shelf life of the drug is 3 years. It is recommended to store it in a cool (2 to 8 ^° C) place, do not freeze. It is also possible to keep the drug at room temperature (up to 25 degrees), but not more than 7 days.

Pharmacological properties of the drug "Vivitrol" and indications for use

Pharmacological action of the drug is due to the blocking of opiate receptors, so it is used to treat severe forms of alcoholism and mental disorders against the background of dependence on drugs containing opium. Keep in mind that this tool can be prescribed only by a doctor. Moreover, it should be used only against a background of complete abstinence from alcoholic beverages. Remember that the drug "Vivitrol" and alcohol are absolutely incompatible. As a rule, the drug is used in complex therapy. Self-medication with this medication is prohibited, which is why it is difficult to buy it - the medicine is dispensed strictly according to the doctor's prescription.

Contraindications to the use of the drug "Vivitrol" and side effects

Please note that this tool is not used to treat patients with the following diseases (unfortunately, the list of contraindications to the application is wide enough):

• Hypersensitivity to any components of the drug and its solvent;
• Dependence or simply the use of narcotic painkillers;
• Acute opioid dependence, including in a situation where the patient has a "breakage" - a pronounced withdrawal from opium and any other drugs based on it;
• Kidney failure;
• With caution apply the drug "Vivitrol" for violations of the liver.

Side effects of the drug "Vivitrol" are as follows: the patient may experience itching, skin rashes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, severe thirst. In addition, there was headache, dizziness, anxiety, fainting and other asthenic manifestations. In addition, from the respiratory organs can be observed laryngitis, sinusitis and pharyngitis, and from the side of the bony system - pain in the joints, in different parts of the back, spasms, as well as tingling and pain in the muscles.

How exactly do you use the drug for the treatment of alcohol dependence "Vivitrol"?

Patients' comments about injections of this remedy can not be called positive. So, almost everyone notes that the injections are painful enough, in their place often there are strong redness. Also, side effects, described above, are quite often observed. What else do people say about Vivitrol? Patients' comments in detail we will consider below. Now we will talk in detail about the method of application of the drug.

Usually, the patient is prescribed 1 injection once in 30 days, a single dose of the drug - 380 mg intramuscularly. Note that intravenous administration of this medicine is prohibited. Also, injections are not put at home, they should be done by a doctor in the hospital. Immediately before use, the drug is removed from the refrigerator, allowed to warm up at room temperature, and then diluted with a solution from the package. The suspension is administered intramuscularly, slowly.

What do patients say about the drug?

The "Vivitrol" product, reviewed below, has already helped many people get rid of alcohol dependence. Here are considered positive reviews about this medicine:

• Convenience in application: in a month the patient needs only one injection;
• Efficacy: the drug "Vivitrol" contains a sufficiently large dose of blockers (substances that interfere with the use of alcohol), so the percentage of recovery is quite high.

So, if you are looking for a good drug for the treatment of alcohol dependence, you may well consider the drug "Vivitrol". Reviews about it, however, are ambiguous. There are also sharply negative. They will be discussed below.

With a minus sign: why the drug "Vivitrol" is suitable for not all patients

That's what negative comments are left by those who were treated (or just going to apply this medicine, but changed their mind):

• First, the drug is expensive. The price of one injection is about 32 thousand rubles. Agree, so not an expensive tool can afford not every family;
• The medication has a large number of contraindications and side effects, which manifest themselves quite often. Many people with alcohol dependence have liver problems. And liver failure is just a contraindication for the use of the drug.
• On some, the drug "Vivitrol" is absolutely not working. Comments on the forums tell that alcoholics both drank and continue to drink, even after injections, without fear that drinking alcohol against the background of this drug can lead to the most unpredictable consequences, not excluding the fatal outcome.
• Injections of the suspension, as we have already mentioned, are rather painful.

Therefore, consult a doctor before using the drug. And in no case do not self-medicate - do not colitis the drug yourself and do not inject it to a relative or friend who decides to be treated outside the walls of the medical institution. It may end badly.

How do doctors characterize the drug?

Medki note that the drug "Vivitrol" - a modern drug that gradually reduces cravings for alcohol. But at the same time, many doctors say that treatment with this medication alone can not really bring results. They recommend the patient to undergo a course of psychotherapy or visit a psychologist in order to understand the causes of dependence and get rid of alcoholism once and for all. Unfortunately, the tool "Vivitrol" reviews at least has positive, including from doctors, treats only the body, but not the soul. But many friends of the "green snake" are people with psychological problems. If you get rid of them, there is a chance that a person will finish alcohol. Therefore, having come to a consultation with a doctor (yourself or with your relative), be sure to ask what other measures you can take to make the disease recede and never return.

Conclusions and conclusion

Above we have examined in detail what the drug "Vivitrol" is. Reviews from patients and doctors, characteristics and properties are also given in the article. We hope, this information will help you when choosing a remedy for alcohol dependence. It should also be mentioned that the expensive drug "Vivitrol" has more affordable analogs. These drugs are Antakson, Naltrexone, Narcanti and Revia. Therefore, if you want to get rid of addiction, but you can not afford the "Vivitrol" remedy, ask the doctor what kind of generic he can recommend in your situation. After all, they act no worse. If you compare them with the drug "Vivitrol", reviews, price and other parameters of the analogs in many respects coincide with the characteristics of the original drug. And do not delay the treatment of alcoholism "for later". "Then" can be very late.