Naltrexone and Insomnia: What Users Say

• MHA...
• January 27, 2020

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I was prescribed Naltrexone 3 days ago, and I literally cannot believe the difference it has made to my life in such a short time!! I have been drinking 2 bottles of wine every night for over 10 years and close to that for 20 years before that. I had a miserable, lonely life, doing nothing but working and closet drinking. I didn’t see anyone and ignored my kids. I just lived for my next drink, regardless of what it was doing to me. I had resigned to the fact this was how I would die - and the sooner the better. I finally feel free, and it has been no effort at all!! I have zero desire to drink, and even my appetite has been suppressed! (Great side effect!) I am enjoying my kids and can get in my car whenever! I had moderate nausea on the first day, but my Dr. prescribed anti-nausea medicine which quickly fixed that. I have had a little trouble staying asleep but not too bad. I am taking 25mg, and don’t think I will need to go to 50mg, but 25mg works."

• Sar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 5, 2019

For Fibromyalgia "I started low dose naltrexone (LDN) for fibromyalgia after years of feeling like a lab rat! It is amazing. I no longer feel like I am in a fog, everything is so much clearer. Pain is minimal. I still have an occasional flare but few and far between, mainly when I overdo it. I feel like I have gotten my life back. I do take it in the morning, 4.5mg, because it had been causing insomnia."

• Eld...
• October 16, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "I have been slowly increasing my LDN for fibromyalgia for the last several weeks. It has provided better relief than the Fentanyl 100 mcg that I had been on for years! Very hopeful that I will find my optimal dose and feel even better. I have had pain relief and an increase in energy. It caused insomnia, though, so I changed the dose to the a.m. with no drowsiness noted."

• Bea...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 15, 2018

For Fibromyalgia "Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) has reduced both my pain and fatigue. It’s made a huge difference to me. I was at the point of giving up work, but on LDN I’m able to keep working. Initially, I had a few nights of disturbed sleep, but now no side effects except the good ones!"

• BPa...
• November 18, 2020

For Fibromyalgia "I've had fibromyalgia for about 7 years. I've tried everything and had all but given up. I happened to see info online about LDN (low-dose naltrexone). I asked my doctor about it, and she wrote a script but said it probably wouldn't do anything. But I insisted... desperate to try anything. However, it was for 1/2 of a 50mg tablet once per day. I felt like I had done a gram of cocaine. 2-3 hrs of sleep per night, major anxiety, heart racing, etc. Couldn't focus, hands shook, etc. I stuck with it for one week when I realized my pain had dropped significantly for the first time in about seven years. Thrilled at the results, I had to figure out how to continue the medication but get rid of the side effects and get some sleep. I called the doc to ask what I could do, as the online info said LDN should be 1.5 mg. She said it only came in 50 mg and I'd have to get the suggested low dose from a 'compounding' pharmacy. I have no idea how to do that. Can anyone help?"

• Lee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "Have had fibromyalgia for 22 years. Tried all sorts of the recommended meds. Two months ago started 4.5 mg low dose naltrexone. Fall asleep easily but horrible and disturbing dreams and subsequent pain from disturbed sleep. Sometimes I'd sleep 10 to 12 hrs and just slightly refreshed. Have a hard time getting going after waking for up to two hours. Just stopped taking it because of the side effects. Having a headache while coming off of it."

• 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!"

• Mon...
• August 7, 2019

Naltrexone for Opioid Use Disorder "So I was on Suboxone for almost 5 years. It helped get my life together but created a barrier for moving forward. I grew stagnant, just doing well enough in life to stay afloat. I kept the mediocre job, the small apartment, and 'ok' life. I'm staying humble through this time. I made the decision to get off the subs and chose Vivitrol. At first, the withdrawals from the subs were bad, then I started getting better. My doctor 'suggested' I get the Vivitrol shot, and I knew that would be a good decision. I didn't want to feel horrible like I did on the subs, I wanted pure sobriety. So I jumped on the idea without hesitation. I'm 2 shots in now, and I feel as though I'm still in withdrawal. I will definitely not be getting another shot. I'm certain it's because of the shot at this point. Over 2 months feeling like this??? I'm writing this hopefully to help someone going through the same thing. If you still feel pain, aches, insomnia, general dissatisfaction with life, it might be the Vivitrol."

• Lou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2019

For Alcohol Use Disorder "Day 1, took 50 mg, felt a bit strange but then noticed cravings went away. Was a very hot day, I have had a cool beer in the fridge, and it's still there the next day. Going to go down to 25 mg as I think 50 mg may be a bit too much. I did notice a few issues sleeping. But then again, after drinking the other night, I was in so much pain and feeling like death after alcohol and depressed, the slight trouble sleeping on day one was nothing in comparison. I feel in charge of my life again already like a lot of other reviewers have explained. :) Dr. Jordan Peterson recommended it in one of his online videos, works great with minimal side effects. It's always tricky taking a prescription, this would be my first in my life, never wanting to rely on a pill. But hey, it is working. After all, alcohol/ethanol is a drug too, the damage that was doing to my life and those around me was not something I wanted to put up with anymore."

• Lis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2024

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I had been drinking daily for a few years and couldn’t stop. I drank first thing when I woke up and typically had to sneak a few drinks throughout the day to keep from withdrawing. I was considering rehab but had a number of obstacles that made that feel impossible. I finally asked my doctor for help and got on naltrexone. I worried so much that it wouldn’t work for me. Within 3 days, I didn’t feel the craving for a drink for the first time ever. Having a drink or two on it gave me no satisfaction at all, so I stopped. I have now been sober almost exactly two years. This drug truly saved my life and my relationship. I can say I’m the happiest I’ve ever been and have no desire to go back. I only took it for a few months and it turned out that was all I needed, but I would have stayed on if necessary. I only had a few side effects like disrupted sleep, but that was so minor in comparison to what it did for me."

• Mar...
• February 7, 2019

Naltrexone for Opioid Use Disorder "I came off a two-year opiate habit. I’d bounce between heroin and Suboxone. I could get off the H and onto the Suboxone just fine. The problem was I couldn’t get off the subs. I went to a 30-day inpatient rehab. I detoxed, tapered off subs quickly, and felt fine for the next 14 days. I was getting better every day. Then I got the shot. Sick every day, no energy or motivation, trouble sleeping, etc. It’s been almost 3 weeks after the shot, and these side effects are not going away. I’ll never do it again. It’s not PAWS. I know the difference. For whatever reason, Vivitrol is a bad mix for me. I don’t really have any cravings, but I feel awful. Not dope sick awful, but bad enough that I won’t be getting a second shot. All of this got me to do some in-depth research, and I found some sketchy stuff with regard to how the mfg. tested this medication and used lobbyists to get it approved and into the court systems, etc. If it works for you, great. For me, not so much."

• JMJ...
• February 6, 2016

Naltrexone for Opioid Use Disorder "My son is addicted to OxyContin. He went to rehab twice and to an extended living facility. He relapsed after both. He is in his second month of Vivitrol treatment and so far is doing very well. He is going to school and says he has no cravings. Still, he has sleep issues and difficulty concentrating. We are very hopeful that he will get his life back. He is seeing a private therapist (psychologist) once a week as well. He is very confident that this combination, as well as lots of family support, will give him what he needs to succeed in living a drug-free life. Many people pray for him every day and we are all very hopeful. In seven weeks, he gained ten pounds. That is a big improvement."

• thi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2023

Naltrexone for Alcohol Use Disorder "OMG. I feel like I'm dying of apathy at best, and a shaking, sweating, angry ball of anxiety at worst. I had gone through alcohol and benzo withdrawal a month ago, then got this horrible shot and immediately felt like I was going through it all over again, plus other weird side effects like ringing ears, insomnia but exhaustion, lack of motivation, and no interest in anything... at all. Today is only a week since I got the shot, and I can't stand to think that the next 3 weeks will be like this. Do your research, unlike me. If you have depression or anxiety, think this over. Yay, I'm not drinking or thinking about drinking, but I feel like I wouldn't get off the couch if the house was on fire, either. I would do benzo withdrawal twice over rather than deal with these awful side effects. Never again."

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 16, 2019

For Alcohol Use Disorder "Naltrexone was amazing at helping me to stop drinking every night. However, even after stopping for months, I never trusted myself completely, so I kept taking it sorta like a security blanket. After a while, I started getting constant migraines, water retention, trouble sleeping, and a mess of other symptoms. I'll spare you the details, but after months of doctor appointments, tests for everything, and a LOT of exhaustion and frustration, I finally realized it was the naltrexone. I stopped taking it, and all the symptoms went away within 2 days. I don't know if it built up in my system or what. So now I'm just going to have to stay vigilant about drinking without my 'security blanket.' I'm feeling confident because I haven't had a drop in over 6 months, but I'm sure not going to let my guard down."

• Gyp...
• December 1, 2016

Naltrexone for Opioid Use Disorder "Have been on the shot for 2 years now. It helped me recover from alcohol, but I also found it helps my major anxiety and sleep. I don't think they have done enough studies on it to see what else it can help with."

• Kim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2025

For Fibromyalgia "I had tried LDN twice over 20 years, once at 2 mg then at 0.5 mg. Both doses were intolerable due to insomnia. I recently learned of ultra low dose naltrexone-compounded of course. I started about 10 days ago at 1 microgram (1/1000 of a milligram or a millionth of a gram) and just upped to 2 mcg. I am getting relief already and ultra LDN (1-100 mcg) is actually encouraged with opiates (I have a painful surgery coming up), and ULND makes opiates work better while decreasing side effects like constipation....fingers crossed. For those who tried higher doses, I recommend trying these really low doses. I am learning that microdoses work better for me with most meds now. Some of us are built that way, I suppose, and a lifetime of doctors being disappointed that I couldn't take a 'therapeutic' dose of anything is just hooey. A therapeutic dose is as individual as we are, so don't think you have to fit into the data charts. Those doses are for science, not for individual needs."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2017

Naltrexone for Opioid Use Disorder "I was addicted to opiates for 4 years before this shot. I finally feel like I'm not living a double life anymore! I was homeless within 6 months of first becoming dependent on heroin (IV from the start), and I've wanted to stop ever since. Willpower alone is not enough! I've tried every way on my own, but now, with Vivitrol, I can be confident in my recovery. It's closing in on the end of my first month on it. It has caused some stomach cramps, loss of appetite, lack of sleep, anhedonia, and slight depression. The best comparison would be the feeling when you first start to feel withdrawal setting in. My craving levels were eliminated after administration, however, toward the end of the month, I'm feeling them more."

• Moe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2018

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I never considered myself to be an alcoholic and thought addiction was mind over matter. I was completely wrong! After 40, divorced and children grown. My glass of wine turned into half a bottle, etc., etc. I thought about wine many times throughout the day. When I drank, I drank fast, quick to have another. THIS WAS NOT THE LIFE I WANTED TO LIVE, and I COULD NOT STOP. I had seen Naltrexone on CBS Sunday Morning and decided to ask my physician. The medicine did not come with proper instructions! I take the medicine 1 hour before drinking and mid-day to early evening to prevent insomnia. The results were immediate and after 3 months, I no longer feel addicted but still enjoy an occasional glass of wine. The best thing is that I am in control and can achieve my goals without alcohol interference. God bless Dr. Sinclair and the makers of Naltrexone! How about the drug makers updating the directions to include The Sinclair Method and make claim that Naltrexone can reverse the addiction!"

• Ott...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 6, 2016

Naltrexone for Opioid Use Disorder "I still don't know if cravings and anxiety are one and the same, but I've been on this for 6 months. I notice a lot of headaches, increased anxiety, depression, insomnia, and male sexual problems. I still need 0.5 mg Xanax 5 times a day for the anxiety, and Ambien CR for insomnia. The product coordination nurses deny that this causes male sexual side effects. I've had sex twice in 6 months on Vivitrol, and that includes my honeymoon. I think Vivitrol helped me the most by making it clear that if I tried any opiates, I could overdose immediately and die. So I've put up with the side effects, but I hope to be off this in 1 year. And, yes, I want my sex life back."

• Sov...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 31, 2016

Naltrexone for Opioid Use Disorder "Week three after Vivitrol. Still having severe insomnia, goosebumps, depression, lack of energy, and weakness. It did curb my desire for cigarettes, but because I feel so horrible for so long, I am craving a fix. I'm only on the fence with this injection."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2022

Naltrexone for Alcohol Use Disorder "Made me extremely ill. Not an opiate user. Got the 30-day shot. Feel anxious, problems with my digestive system, headaches, trouble sleeping, and overly tired somehow. Fatigued all day, and my body aches. It's awful. I feel like I have the flu, and simultaneously, all the joy has been sucked out of my life. I can't take pleasure in anything during the day."

• DSa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 8, 2018

For Alcohol Use Disorder "This drug has changed my life. If you're struggling with alcohol, find a doctor that will prescribe you this drug! I used to not be able to stop after alcohol touched my lips. I'd drink red wine every night, closet drink so my spouse wouldn't know. The night I started taking this pill, my life transformed. The first week or two, I didn't drink at all, I just wasn't interested. When I decided to have a drink, that's just what I did - I had a drink and stopped. I've had a few drinks here and there and been able to stop myself without thinking about it or wanting another drink. It is unbelievable. This drug has saved me, my marriage, and my family. Don't give up. Please find a doctor who will prescribe you this. I took one pill every night before bed. I did have bad insomnia the first two weeks, but I stuck with it. If there is an event I know I'll be drinking, I take the pill an hour before my first drink. Good luck and please find this pill if you're struggling!"

• Jak...
• July 6, 2017

Naltrexone for Opioid Use Disorder "Vivitrol has made me completely useless. I was taking methadone as prescribed every day for the last six years. I actually cut my dose in half the last 24 months. But, I decided to quit cold turkey to get on Vivitrol. Now I am so miserable! I can only get myself to take a couple bites of food a day if I can keep it down. My head is constantly throbbing. I haven't slept more than two hours every night for at least a month. My body is so weak, yet I'm constantly freezing and sweating. My hands shake all the time, and the ringing in my ears is so loud I have a hard time hearing things sometimes. I find that I don't care about anything. I don't even want to be around my own son anymore. I am not surprised people get suicidal on this drug."

• Non...
• January 24, 2020

Naltrexone for Opioid Use Disorder "The first day on Vivitrol, I felt only what I could describe as peace. But then, the insomnia kicked in. I was all stretchy constantly, which was not really that big of a deal. But you know what was a big deal? The sexual malaise, or complete decimation of my libido. At first, I orgasmed extremely quick, then no orgasms no matter how hard I tried. It was hard on my relationship. If I wanted to not feel, I would have stayed on dope. The second side effect I have is this: it's been just about 30 days, and ALL I want to do now is eat. I guess this is because my receptors can take dopamine again? The food is just SO amazing I am pretty much obsessed with it. I am actually grateful to have had the thirty days to start creating new habits of not using. The most messed up thing is that trying to ask healthcare providers about these side effects (very specifically) elicited such evasive answers and denial of the facts that are clearly on Vivitrol's own website."

• Ugh...
• December 12, 2017

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I've been on 50 mg naltrexone for 3 days to stop drinking, and I have experienced just about every 'rare' side effect listed. I've had severe fatigue-though not really able to sleep well-insomnia at night, nausea, and weakness. My doctor told me to go down to 25 mg for a couple of days until my body acclimated to the med, but I don't know if I want to keep up with it because of how poorly I've been feeling. I wonder if anyone else has experienced this?"