Does Alcohol Interfere With the Effectiveness of Opioid Antagonist Medications?

Alcohol consumption can interfere with the effectiveness of opioid antagonists, such as naloxone or naltrexone, in several ways. Opioid antagonists are medications that block the effects of opioids and are commonly used in treating opioid overdose or addiction. While they are generally safe and effective, combining them with alcohol can have undesirable results.

Impact on the Central Nervous System

Both alcohol and opioid antagonists can depress the central nervous system (CNS). Consuming them together can intensify these depressive effects, leading to increased sedation, drowsiness, respiratory depression, and even the risk of overdose. In severe cases, respiratory depression can be life-threatening.

Reduced Efficacy

When you drink alcohol while taking naltrexone, it may decrease the medication’s ability to suppress cravings and discourage alcohol use.

Liver Damage

Both alcohol and some opioid antagonists, such as naltrexone, can have hepatotoxic effects, meaning they can damage the liver. Using them together increases the risk of liver damage. Patients with underlying liver disease or compromised liver function should exercise caution when combining alcohol and opioid antagonists.

Does Naltrexone Prevent You From Becoming Impaired?

Naltrexone does not prevent the intoxicating effects of alcohol. When you drink alcohol while taking naltrexone, you may still experience its usual effects, such as impaired judgment, motor coordination, and cognitive functions. You may also be tempted to drink more because you don’t intoxicated (the “buzz”). Drinking may also affect you more intensely because naltrexone reduces your body’s tolerance for alcohol.

Does Naltrexone Treat Alcoholism?

Naltrexone has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat alcoholism. It can be used as part of a comprehensive recovery plan to help those struggling with alcohol abuse disorders.

When taken as prescribed, naltrexone helps reduce the urge to drink and can make it easier for people to stay sober. Naltrexone also helps reduce withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting drinking, such as anxiety and depression.

Can Drinking Alcohol While Taking Naltrexone Cause Adverse Symptoms?

Alcohol and naltrexone are two substances that should not be taken together. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist used to treat symptoms of alcohol and opioid abuse, but drinking alcohol while taking naltrexone can have serious consequences.

Naltrexone blocks the euphoric effects and feelings of intoxication from alcohol, so it can be difficult to recognize how much you are drinking or how impaired you are becoming. This can lead to dangerous levels of intoxication, which can cause severe health problems such as liver damage or even death. Additional effects of mixing alcohol and naltrexone include respiratory depression and poor decision-making.

If you stop taking naltrexone suddenly after being on it for a long time, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and insomnia.

What Should You Not Mix With Naltrexone?

Many medications interact with naltrexone, making it crucial that you not take it illicitly and inform your health care provider of all your prescriptions before they prescribe it.