How long does Vivitrol last in your system?
How long does Vivitrol last in your system? How often do I need to have Vivitrol injection?
- Vivitrol injection is a once-a-month extended release injection
- How long Vivitrol lasts depends on how fast your body breaks down the slow release formula and varies from person to person
- After the IM (intramusclar) injection most of the Vivitrol would have left the body 25 to 50 days
- For most people the effect from Vivitrol lasts for about a month in their body, so they need to have a new Vivitrol injection every 4 weeks or once a month, for it to keep having its effect.
When calculating how long Vivitrol lasts in the body, you need to consider its elimination half-life This is the time it takes for half of the drug to be metabolized and eliminated in the body. This varies from person to person with people ranging from being slower or faster at eliminating Vivitrol.
- The elimination half-life of Vivitrol injection is 5 to 10 days
- Generally, it takes approximately five half-lives for a drug to be eliminated from the body
- Faster elimination 5 X 5 days = 25 days
- Slower elimination 10 X 5 days = 50 days
- Vivitrol injection lasts in the body for a range of 25 to 50 days.
Vivitrol contains the active ingredient naltrexone which is used to reduce opiate dependence and alcohol dependence.
Read next
What is low dose naltrexone (LDN)?
Low dose naltrexone means taking a dose of naltrexone that is up to one-tenth, or 10%, of the dose that is usually taken for opioid addiction. A low dose of naltrexone is approximately 4.5mg of naltrexone a day compared with the usual dosage of naltrexone for opioid addiction which is 50mg to 100mg a day. Continue reading
What happens if you drink alcohol while taking naltrexone?
Naltrexone blocks the feelings of intoxication (the “buzz”) from alcohol when you drink it. This allows people with alcohol use disorder to lessen their drinking behaviors enough to stay in treatment, avoid relapses, and take their medication. Over time, cravings for alcohol will decrease. However, naltrexone will not prevent you from becoming impaired while drinking alcohol. Do not use naltrexone so that you can drive or perform other activities under the influence of alcohol. Continue reading
What to avoid when taking naltrexone?
Do NOT take opiates, including heroin or other prescription or illegal opiates while using naltrexone. Taking opiates with naltrexone increases your risk for an overdose, coma and death. Do not use naltrexone if you are dependent on opioids or if you are experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms. Naltrexone should not be used before you complete a medically-supervised opioid withdrawal lasting at least 7 to 14 days. Continue reading
Related medical questions
- Should I take naltrexone in the morning or at night?
- Does naltrexone cause weight gain?
- Acamprosate vs naltrexone: How do they compare?
- How does naltrexone make you feel?
- How long does naltrexone take to work?
- What is the mechanism of action for naltrexone?
- Does naltrexone make you sleepy?
- Is naltrexone a controlled substance?
- How and where is the Vivitrol injection given?
- Can you drink alcohol on Vivitrol or will you get sick?
- What's the difference between naltrexone and naloxone?
- Does naltrexone block endorphins?
- What happens if you take opiates while on Vivitrol?
- Can I take Xanax while on Vivitrol?
- How fast does Vivitrol work?
- Does Vivitrol help with cravings?
- Can Vivitrol cause a positive drug test?
- What can I take for pain while on Vivitrol?
- Is Vivitrol the same as Suboxone?
Drug information
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