Naltrexone is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) as a Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) option.
Naltrexone blocks the parts of your brain that “feel” pleasure from alcohol and narcotics. When these areas of the brain are blocked, you feel less need to drink alcohol, and you can stop drinking more easily. Naltrexone does not make you feel sick if you drink alcohol while taking it, unlike disulfiram (brand name: Antabuse), another medicine that is sometimes used for alcoholism.
Naltrexone can be prescribed and administered by any practitioner licensed to prescribe medications, and is available in a pill form to be taken daily.
Naltrexone is one component of a comprehensive treatment plan, which includes counseling and other behavioral health therapies to provide patients with a whole-person approach.
Naltrexone is not a recommended MAT option for anyone younger than 18 years of age, or for patients experiencing other health conditions.
