What is Naltrexone hydrochloride - Meaning and definition

Published by Roberto Wenk. Reviewed by Alison Ramsey. Last updated date: January 14, 2019.

The hydrochloride salt of naltrexone, a noroxymorphone derivative with competitive opioid antagonistic activity.
Naltrexone and its metabolite 6-beta-naltrexol reverse the effects of opioids by binding to various opioid receptors in the central nervous system (CNS), including the mu-, kappa-, and gamma-opioid receptors; opioid effects of analgesia, euphoria, sedation, respiratory depression, miosis, bradycardia, and physical dependence are inhibited.
Naltrexone is longer-acting and more potent than naloxone.

National Cancer Institute. NCI Drug Dictionary. Internet. September 15, 2009.

Published by Roberto Wenk. Reviewed by Alison Ramsey. Last updated date: January 14, 2019.

Adult
PO
Opioid dependence. Initial: 25 mg, then up to 50 mg/day if no withdrawal signs. Maintenance: 350 mg/wk given as 50 mg/day or divided in 3 doses (given on 3 days of the wk) for improved compliance.
Adjunct in alcohol dependence: 50 mg/day.

IM
Adjunct in alcohol dependence: 380 mg 4 wkly.

Adverse drug reactions: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, insomnia, lethargy, headache, musculoskeletal pain, anorexia, diarrhea, constipation, liver function abnormalities.

Adapted from CIMS Drug Information System. Internet. Accessed on January 10, 2016.

To cite

Naltrexone hydrochloride. IAHPC Pallipedia. https://pallipedia.org/naltrexone-hydrochloride. Accessed