How Does VIVITROL® work?
VIVITROL® is a prescription injectable medicine given intramuscular in your buttocks. It is injected by your doctor or healthcare provider every 4 weeks or once a month. Because VIVITROL® is an injection, once it is given, you cannot remove it from your body.
Making a commitment to treatment.
Deciding to commit to treatment for alcohol or opioid dependence is not an easy choice, but realizing that it has to be done is the first step in the recovery process.
People who are dependent on alcohol or opioids are more likely to recover and less likely to relapse when they are treated with medicine and counseling together. Professional groups like the American Medical Association AMA) and the American Psychiatric Association say that adding medicine to a counseling program for dependence can help increase your chances for recovery.
A treatment plan may include:
- Visiting a healthcare provider once a month, or every 4 weeks, for an injection of VIVITROL®: some people on VIVITROL® treatment have had severe reactions at the site of injection.
- Attending a counseling program run by a social worker, psychotherapist, or addiction counselor
- Receiving support from a loved one, friend, family member, or sponsor who can help you adjust to life without dependence on alcohol or opioid drugs
If you take opioids or opioid-containing medication, such as prescription pain medications or street drugs, you must stop these for 7-10 days before starting VIVITROL®.
VIVITROL® can cause serious side effects, including:
- Severe reactions at the site of injection
- Liver damage or hepatitis
- Risk of opioid overdose
- Severe allergic pneumonia
- Serious allergic reactions.
For more information about VIVITROL® please click here
Making a commitment to treatment.
Deciding to commit to treatment for alcohol or opioid dependence is not an easy choice, but realizing that it has to be done is the first step in the recovery process.
People who are dependent on alcohol or opioids are more likely to recover and less likely to relapse when they are treated with medicine and counseling together. Professional groups like the American Medical Association AMA) and the American Psychiatric Association say that adding medicine to a counseling program for dependence can help increase your chances for recovery.
A treatment plan may include:
- Visiting a healthcare provider once a month, or every 4 weeks, for an injection of VIVITROL®: some people on VIVITROL® treatment have had severe reactions at the site of injection.
- Attending a counseling program run by a social worker, psychotherapist, or addiction counselor
- Receiving support from a loved one, friend, family member, or sponsor who can help you adjust to life without dependence on alcohol or opioid drugs
If you take opioids or opioid-containing medication, such as prescription pain medications or street drugs, you must stop these for 7-10 days before starting VIVITROL®.
VIVITROL® can cause serious side effects, including:
- Severe reactions at the site of injection
- Liver damage or hepatitis
- Risk of opioid overdose
- Severe allergic pneumonia
- Serious allergic reactions.
For more information about VIVITROL® please click here
