The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Vivitrol to treat certain conditions. In comparison, only 23% of people who took a placebo didn’t use any opioids for this time frame. Heavy drinking days were defined as days when men had five or more alcoholic drinks or women had four or more alcoholic drinks.įor the treatment of opioid dependence, researchers found that 36% of people who took Vivitrol didn’t use any opioids throughout the 24-week study. In one clinical trial, people who used the approved dose of Vivitrol had 25% fewer heavy drinking days than people who took a placebo (no treatment). Vivitrol helps treat alcohol dependence by decreasing cravings for alcohol. EffectivenessĬlinical trials showed that Vivitrol was effective in treating people with alcohol or opioid dependence. A healthcare provider will give you an injection at your doctor’s office once every 4 weeks. Vivitrol is given as an injection into the muscle ( intramuscular) of your buttock. (A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way.) Vivitrol isn’t approved to be used in children. Vivitrol contains the drug naltrexone, which is in a class of drugs called opioid antagonists. Opioid dependence is now referred to as “opioid use disorder.” When you’re dependent, your brain can’t work normally without the opioids or alcohol. Your brain can get used to the substance being in your body. Vivitrol should be used along with counseling, education, and support groups.ĭependence can occur when you take opioids or drink alcohol repeatedly. You must stop using opioids for at least 7 to 10 days before taking Vivitrol. So Vivitrol is meant to help you avoid becoming dependent on opioids again after you’ve used them in the past. Opioid detoxification involves clearing the drug from your body. An opioid is a powerful type of drug often prescribed to treat pain. Prevent opioid dependence after opioid detoxification.You must stop drinking alcohol before and while using Vivitrol. Vivitrol is used for people who aren’t in the hospital for their alcohol dependence. Vivitrol is a brand-name prescription medication used to: