Naltrexone and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• TAS...
• March 28, 2020

For Fibromyalgia "I have been taking Naltrexone LDN for fibro for about 2 years now. The difference is amazing, like a miracle. At 42, I felt like I was 90. My body was just inflamed and in constant pain. When I moved, everything felt tight, sore, and painful. My inflammation was very high and my doctor put me on 9mg of LDN to start. I was at that dose for about 9 months, and my inflammation was still very high, and I was also still struggling to lose weight. My doctor upped the LDN to the full dose of naltrexone at 50mg to help with weight loss, and it did. Between the 9mg and 50mg, I lost 30lbs. However, the 50mg dose was a little too high for me as it made me so sleepy. So, I dropped it down to roughly 32mg, but I take it in split doses of 16mg, 12 hours apart. That has proved to be my perfect dose. I no longer have any body aches or pains. I wake up feeling 20 again, and the naltrexone gives me energy throughout the day. I also have hypothyroidism, and the lack of energy had been a huge problem for me as well."

• Bro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2019

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I'm 44 and been drinking heavily since I was 20. I hated the way alcohol made me feel: fat, bloated, pains in my abdomen and unable to exercise. I also have complex PTSD arising from severe childhood abuse. My psychiatrist prescribed naltrexone and you have to take it slowly. Cut the 50mg tablet in half and only take half for the first 7 days. Yes, there are side effects: it takes away your hunger, you also can get very sleepy and sleep excessively at first, but this will fade. Naltrexone can also make you feel anxious. With my illnesses, it's always been hard saying 'no' to alcohol as I am surrounded by alcoholics who bring home alcohol almost every evening. That is, until I found naltrexone and started taking it properly. Now, on naltrexone, I am offered wine and I will refuse or only drink a glass or two. My mind is, for once, telling me this is not the person I want to be. I don't want to be the alcoholic. There is no willpower involved, it just happens, like magic."

• Jax...
• November 9, 2019

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I have been a severe alcoholic for 10 years and also suffer from bipolar with manic depression. I have come close to death multiple times. I am on multiple medications and will stop my meds to drink because I feel it helps me more than my medication. My family and doctors are very afraid that I will die soon. I was started on naltrexone 2 months ago and have stayed sober and gotten back on track with my medication. I have only had some fleeting thoughts about alcohol but it quickly goes away. I get very drowsy but it’s better than drinking. I would definitely recommend this medication naltrexone for alcohol problems. Sending good vibes to all who suffer ☮️"

• Fre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2015

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I cannot speak highly enough of this medicine. I used to drink a case of beer per week, sometimes more. I've been trying to control my drinking for 3-5 years with no results. After starting on Naltrexone, now I can take it or leave it - I have beer in the house but it doesn't control me in the slightest. To be honest, I lose interest in beer and end up pouring it down the drain because I can't finish the can! I began by taking a half dose for the first 10 days, which was good because it does cause some drowsiness/sluggishness. I'm also losing weight because my appetite is not what it used to be. Hope this is helpful to someone else out there who wants a medical aid to curbing (or eliminating) their excessive drinking."

• Jil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2020

For Fibromyalgia "I cannot believe how this med, naltrexone, has helped my fibro. I've tried many meds and always have side effects. The only side effect I have with this is a bit of sleepiness, but I take it at night. I'm still on a starting dose of 1.5, but AMAZING!!!!"

• PAC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2014

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I started taking naltrexone 4 days ago, 25mg initially. Also taking Cipramil for depression/anxiety. I have found with naltrexone I rarely think about drinking, and if I do, it is just a fleeting thought that passes. Whereas before, the thought would take hold, and that would be all I could think about until I got a drink. I haven't tried drinking on it and don't feel like I want to. I have had some side effects and not sure if this is because I'm taking Cipramil too, mainly feeling a bit spaced out. I took a full 50mg yesterday, after about an hour, couldn't keep my eyes open. Today I'll try taking it at night. So glad I'm on this medicine though, it's helping with some obsessive-compulsive disorder traits I have."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2017

For Alcohol Use Disorder "It's day 4 for me on naltrexone. The first day I took 25 mg, and it made me a little sedated. I went to dinner, couldn't finish my wine, and had a glass later knowing cold turkey is a bad idea. I was a 1 to 1.5 bottle of wine drinker daily. The next night, I took 12.5 mg, had maybe 6 oz of wine, the next night 2 Corona lights, and the next night one beer. No cravings at all, no shaking. I had some irritability, but I think that's to be expected. This drug has made it easy to wean off alcohol. Alcoholism killed my father and ruined my marriage. Both of us drank. No bueno. I am very vocal with family about my desire to quit. I tried a few times before, and naltrexone is a godsend. Good luck, all!"

• Rog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2012

Vivitrol (naltrexone) for Opioid Use Disorder "I took my first Vivitrol shot on 7/31/12. Three hours later, I was having the worst withdrawals one could ever imagine. The worst lasted about two days followed by seven days of symptoms like constant anxiety, sleeplessness, muscle spasms, and then three or four days of regular side effects. My doctor told me that I may not have been completely detoxed when I took the shot and that might have been the cause of my extreme reaction. I'm going to get my second shot on 8/31. I feel that without the shot, the possibility of relapse will be greater, so the benefit outweighs the negative side effects. I'll let you know how it turns out."

• Dma...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2019

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I have been drinking for 25 years, and in the last 7 years, my drinking has become horrible. Hangovers are unbearable, along with nightmares and a racing heartbeat that causes bad anxiety and all kinds of other issues. So I discovered naltrexone. I'm on 50 mg once a day, have just had my second pill today. It's truly amazing, it works! I'm just wondering what the catch is? So far, I've experienced very mild stomach pains and insomnia. I've also lost interest in sex, not completely, but the most strong side effect would be drowsiness. But I don't care, it's a price I'm willing to pay. I highly recommend it if you want a good shot at stopping drinking, then take this pill!"

• Anonymous
• November 10, 2016

For Alcohol Use Disorder "My partner has been an alcoholic for over 10 years. I have cared for him for the last 2 years and have tried everything. I thought an antidepressant was going to be the answer, along with therapy. Nothing could stop his drinking and lying. I had given up hope. I took him to the GP and asked for medication to stop him from drinking. He started naltrexone 4 days ago. He takes it at night, and it really knocks him out, but it is amazing. He is like a totally different person. He is happy. No cravings, no drinking. The evil cloud of addiction is gone. I am under no illusion that there is work to do to address the underlying issues, but for the first time, he is free to live life and remain sober. Life-saving."

• Fre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 7, 2023

For Alcohol Use Disorder "Update. I have now been on naltrexone for 7 months. The results are miraculous! I’ve had AUD for 37 years and tried everything to stop. Never got rid of craving for alcohol. I started taking 50 mg per day an hour before drinking. I immediately drank less. Except one time when I drank 6 drinks. Had a terrible hangover. I practice the Sinclair Method, which means I only take the pill when I’m going to drink. I’ve had 4 drinks in the last 3 months! The best part is I don’t crave alcohol anymore! First time in 37 years that’s happened. Only side effect was a little drowsy first pill, then no problems. This drug cures drinking problems if you use it correctly and consistently. Good luck!"

• Win...
• April 21, 2017

For Alcohol Use Disorder "Started Naltrexone 3 days ago. Cravings have subsided, but the sedated feeling remained. Dr. advised taking it before bedtime to help with the side effects. Going to try taking it in the evening before bed and will let you know my thoughts. I'd like to function in the day and not be dizzy. Keep you posted! Stay strong, my resilient ppl."

• JTE...
• February 16, 2017

Vivitrol (naltrexone) for Opioid Use Disorder "I recently went through a medical detox from heroin, and after 6 days, when my vitals showed I was opiate-free, I was administered the Vivitrol shot, which is pretty deep and painful in itself. I experienced terrible symptoms like upset stomach, diarrhea, severe restlessness, muscle cramps and twitches, nausea, chills, fever, enlarged pupils, lazy eye, extreme irritability, high anxiety, rapid heart rate, shakiness, and sleeplessness, plus the site where the shot was administered ached like an epidural. I ended up in the emergency room with an adverse reaction. I feel like death and can barely focus on my actual detox and life. Next month, when this shot is hopefully out of my system, I will not get it again! At least I'm off heroin!"

• SC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2021

For Fibromyalgia "I experienced some odd side effects: drowsy all day on a low dose, hard time working as all I wanted to do was sleep. No pain relief for fibromyalgia, instead, I woke up each morning with stiffness and pain in lower limbs to knees and neck and upper arms pain to elbow. In addition, I felt down most of the time, just depressed and blue. I also had diarrhea throughout the day. Bizarre side effects included the limb stiffness and unusually frequent sexual thoughts, not normal for me. My appetite was lower, and I slept longer at night. It was very difficult to work though with drowsiness all day, which made pushing through heavy fatigue difficult. I drove my car to do errands nearby and had trouble navigating and drove over curbs a couple of times. That scared me. So finally, with these side effects in a two-week period, I stopped taking the med. My side effects are unusual from what I have read."

• Bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2021

For Alcohol Use Disorder "This is the second time I’ve tried to take Naltrexone, and I just cannot tolerate it. I thought maybe it was because I started at 50 mg. So this time I started with 25 mg and still having weird “high” feelings all day, headaches, itching, nausea. Very similar to migraines, but with crazy anxiety, paranoia, and sleeplessness. Will NEVER take again. Back to good ole willpower."

• smp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2022

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I have been on this since 3/2, and it is an absolute savior! I was prescribed it due to a rising alcohol problem. It completely ceased all cravings! Finally, I’m free from it! Added bonus, I did not realize it was also used for weight loss. I had definitely put on about 45 lbs during my alcohol issues. In less than a week, I’m down 10 lbs after this morning! It totally curbs food cravings as well. It also has helped my moods as well (in combination with my antidepressants). As for the side effects, definitely take it at night. It makes me sleepy if I take it in the morning. Drink lots of water or you will have constipation issues. Expect nausea the first couple of days (my first full day on it, I threw up a sandwich I tried to eat). After a couple of days, you’ll be back to normal, just without cravings. I do meal replacement shakes now because I forget to eat, and one day I had less than 500 calories."

• Far...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2018

Vivitrol (naltrexone) for Alcohol Use Disorder "Just started and noticed sleepiness and lethargy. I am also taking 5 mg of Valium 2x a day to wean off of Ativan. I think that, in conjunction with other meds, the shot is causing the effects. I take HBP medication, which itself causes drowsiness, so I'm hopeful that I will be able to adjust all of my meds to accommodate staying off the alcohol. Has anyone had side effects the first time/first few days similar to this? Extreme sleepiness/lethargy?"

• Far...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2018

Vivitrol (naltrexone) for Alcohol Use Disorder "Just started and noticed sleepiness and lethargy. I am also taking 5 mg of Valium 2x a day to wean off of Ativan. I think that, in conjunction with other meds, the shot is causing the effects. I take HBP medication, which itself causes drowsiness, so I'm hopeful that I will be able to adjust all of my meds to accommodate staying off the alcohol. Has anyone had side effects the first time/first few days similar to this? Extreme sleepiness/lethargy?"

• Jin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2018

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I am using naltrexone per The Sinclair Method (TSM), meaning that I take 50 mg of naltrexone one hour prior to drinking, only on the days I drink. It has helped me tremendously! I am 3 months in, and my drinking dropped 2/3rds without any willpower or white-knuckling. Cravings and triggers are almost non-existent, my health and well-being have improved. TSM is a true scientific miracle, and more people need to know about this method! As for naltrexone itself, it is a cheap generic drug, non-addictive. I had very little side effects, just extreme drowsiness for the first couple of times. All naltrexone does is block endorphins, all the magic that happens as a result of it is the natural processes and mechanisms of the human brain that is capable of learning and extinguishing behaviors."

• Von...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 8, 2023

Vivitrol (naltrexone) for Alcohol Use Disorder "I had my second shot yesterday. I debated on getting the second shot due to the side effects. I love that the cravings for alcohol disappear almost immediately. I have only thought about drinking a few times, but the thought quickly subsides or I forget about it easily. I drank heavily up until the day before I took the first shot, but no more since. Every day since I had the first injection, it's hard for me to get out of bed, my energy levels come and go throughout the day. I have brain fog, heaviness in my body and mind, body aches, and drowsiness. After reading many reviews, it seems like more people don't have symptoms. I just want my mind to be clear. I can't function 100% on Vivitrol, it's like having a hangover off and on throughout the day. I'm hoping that the side effects start to go away this month so that I can get my motivation back to start being productive, my concentration levels are very low."

• Nal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2022

For Alcohol Use Disorder "Naltrexone requires that you set the dose. My doctor put me on 50 mg for binge drinking on weekends. That was too much. It had me anxious, jumpy, fatigued, and sedated all at the same time. I started splitting the pills in half, and it was still too much, so finally, I started taking them whenever I needed to take the edge off. These pills work immediately!"