Naltrexone

Excerpt

Naltrexone is an FDA-approved opioid antagonist used to treat alcohol use disorder and opioid dependence. Naltrexone blocks the effect of opioids and prevents opioid intoxication and physiologic dependence on opioid users. This medication is a mu-opioid receptor antagonist and also a weaker antagonist of the kappa and delta-opioid receptors. This activity is designed to improve the knowledge of competency of practitioners selecting naltrexone as part of the individualized approach for patients with alcohol or opioid use disorder. Naltrexone's indications, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, administration methods, significant adverse effects, contraindications, monitoring, warnings, and toxicity are discussed.