Naltrexone

Product Description

Naltrexone is a prescription medication primarily used as a supportive therapy following the discontinuation of opioid analgesics, playing a vital role in the long-term treatment of opioid and alcohol dependence. It works by competitively binding to opioid receptors in the brain, particularly the mu and kappa subtypes, effectively blocking or displacing opioid agonists. This mechanism helps prevent the euphoric and sedative effects of opioids, significantly reducing cravings and the risk of relapse. Naltrexone is not intended to manage acute withdrawal but is used to maintain abstinence and support recovery after detoxification.

Safety Information

Mode of Application

Naltrexone is administered orally, with the standard dose for alcohol dependence being 50 mg once daily for a period of 12 weeks. For opioid addiction, therapy should begin only after a confirmed 7 to 10-day opioid-free period, verified by urinalysis and a negative response to a provocative test. The initial dose is typically 25 mg, followed by careful observation for one hour. If no signs of withdrawal appear, the remaining dose is administered, and the patient can continue with 50 mg per day moving forward. This cautious approach helps prevent sudden withdrawal symptoms and ensures safe initiation of therapy.

Contraindications

Naltrexone should not be used in individuals with known hypersensitivity to the drug, or in those currently experiencing opioid withdrawal. It is contraindicated in patients who test positive for opioids in the urine, as well as in those with acute hepatitis or severe hepatic insufficiency. Proper screening and liver function monitoring are essential before starting treatment to minimize potential risks.

Side Effects

Side effects from Naltrexone can vary in severity and frequency, affecting multiple body systems. Neurological reactions may include headache, dizziness, insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, fatigue, and in rare cases, hallucinations or confusion. Some individuals may also report blurred vision, photophobia, or ringing in the ears. Cardiovascular effects such as chest pain, high blood pressure, palpitations, and nonspecific ECG changes have been noted.

Respiratory symptoms may include nasal congestion, cough, sneezing, hoarseness, or shortness of breath. Gastrointestinal disturbances like nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, constipation, appetite changes, and increased liver enzymes are also possible. Musculoskeletal complaints such as joint pain, back pain, muscle stiffness or twitching, and spasms may occur during treatment.

In the genitourinary system, patients may experience increased urination, urinary discomfort, or mild edema, along with potential sexual dysfunction in men. Allergic reactions can manifest as skin rash, itching, redness, or flushing, particularly on the face. While most side effects are manageable, any severe or persistent symptoms should be reported to a healthcare provider immediately for evaluation and possible dosage adjustment.

Buying Naltrexone Online

Buying naltrexone online is appropriate only when the process starts with a valid prescription and ends with a regulated, licensed pharmacy. In the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, naltrexone is a prescription-only medication, and legitimate sellers verify prescriber details, confirm identity, and provide access to a pharmacist for counselling. If a website advertises “naltrexone for sale” without requiring a prescription, offers “no doctor needed” access, or frames the product as a lifestyle supplement, it should be treated as unsafe and non-compliant. A proper online purchase looks boring: prescription verification, standard dispensing labels, and traceable supply-chain handling.

Most shoppers who type “buy naltrexone online,” “order naltrexone,” or “where to buy naltrexone” are trying to solve one of three practical problems: speed, price, or privacy. Online fulfilment can help with all three, but it cannot replace clinical prerequisites for starting therapy. Because naltrexone blocks opioid receptors, initiating it while opioids are still in the body can precipitate acute withdrawal, so responsible prescribers typically confirm opioid-free status before starting and document the plan for follow-up. A legitimate online pathway includes that screening step, either through your own clinician or a regulated telehealth assessment that produces a valid prescription.

Price shopping is reasonable for this medication because the same prescription can have different out-of-pocket costs depending on insurance, pharmacy contracts, discount programs, and quantity dispensed. The sections below focus on safe purchasing, common dose-and-form options (including naltrexone 50 mg tablets and Vivitrol 380 mg injection), and country-specific access and pricing expectations in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia.

How to Order Naltrexone Online Safely

To order naltrexone online from a legitimate pharmacy, you generally need three things: (1) a prescription, (2) pharmacy identity and eligibility verification, and (3) a shipping address within the pharmacy’s authorised delivery region. In the U.S., most prescriptions are sent electronically by the prescriber; some services also allow uploads, but the pharmacy still must validate the prescription with the prescriber before dispensing. In Canada, the U.K., and Australia, similar verification is required because prescription-only status is enforced by pharmacy regulators and payer systems.

For speed, align the prescribing and dispensing workflow. Ask your prescriber to send the prescription directly to the pharmacy you plan to use, confirm the exact product (generic naltrexone tablets versus the brand Vivitrol injection), and verify stock before you schedule a start date. Oral naltrexone (typically 50 mg tablets) is usually easier to source than the injection, which is often obtained via specialty distribution and administered in a clinic. If your plan involves Vivitrol, confirm whether the medication will be “buy and bill” through the clinic, shipped to the clinic, or handled by a specialty pharmacy, because each pathway has different timing and prior authorisation steps.

For safety, look for operational signals of a real pharmacy: a verifiable pharmacy licence, a physical address, clear privacy policies, secure payment, and an easy way to speak with a pharmacist. High-quality services also provide medication guides, refill reminders, and documented adverse-event reporting channels. Those details are practical markers of a regulated pharmacy operation, not marketing extras.

Where to Buy Naltrexone

Where to buy naltrexone depends on the formulation you need. Oral tablets (most commonly 50 mg) are usually available through chain pharmacies, independent pharmacies, and licensed mail-order pharmacies. The extended-release injectable formulation (Vivitrol 380 mg) is typically supplied through a clinic or specialty pharmacy pathway and administered by a healthcare professional about once every four weeks. This difference matters because the “place to buy” for an injection is often a clinic billing workflow rather than a consumer checkout page.

Availability can also vary by strength and by programme. Some patients start with 25 mg to improve tolerability, and some regions stock fewer 25 mg products than 50 mg tablets. In those cases, prescribers may recommend tablet splitting of 50 mg products when appropriate, but the decision should be clinician-guided and product-specific. If you need a less common strength, call ahead to confirm stock and lead times; this prevents the common scenario where a prescription is written correctly but dispensing is delayed because the item must be ordered.

If you have insurance, the simplest route is often the plan’s preferred network pharmacy or mail-order provider, because that is where copays, formulary tiers, and prior authorisation rules are optimised. If you do not have insurance, you can still buy naltrexone legally and safely, but it becomes more important to compare reputable cash prices and use legitimate discount tools where available. For Vivitrol, coverage verification and site-of-care rules often matter more than list price shopping.

Buying Naltrexone Online vs. Buying In-Store

Online ordering is often best when your dose is stable and you want predictable refills with discreet delivery. In-store purchasing is often better when your prescriber wants a rapid start, when you need face-to-face counselling, or when the pharmacy is coordinating care with a local clinic. Either channel can be legitimate; the risk comes from unlicensed sellers and “no prescription” schemes, not from home delivery itself.

When comparing channels, consider reliability, not only sticker price. A low price is not useful if shipping delays interrupt your regimen. Similarly, the best in-store option is the location that can reliably stock your product and communicate effectively with your prescriber, even if it is not the closest store.

Naltrexone Price

Naltrexone price depends on formulation, supply size, and the healthcare system in which you are purchasing. Oral generic naltrexone tablets are typically low-cost relative to many branded medications, and in the U.S. they are often available with discounts at modest monthly prices. In contrast, the extended-release injectable form (Vivitrol 380 mg) is a high-cost branded product and is commonly managed as a specialty medication. In the U.K., NHS reimbursement and supply-chain pricing can provide a stable benchmark for common pack sizes, while private prescriptions can price differently due to dispensing fees and service bundles.

Two practical notes prevent common surprises. First, an “insured price” is not always lower than a discount cash price for a generic; some patients pay less by using a pharmacy discount price than by billing insurance. Second, the injection’s cost is often more than the vial price: it can include administration and clinic visits and may be billed under medical benefits. Before committing to Vivitrol, ask for an estimate that separates drug cost, administration fee, and any visit charges.

Typical Naltrexone Costs by Form and Country

These figures are reference points based on published pricing examples and public listings, not a promise of what any specific individual will pay. They are still useful for planning because they show the pattern most patients encounter: oral generic naltrexone tends to be attainable at a relatively modest monthly cost, while the extended-release injection is priced and managed like a specialty branded therapy.

Buying Naltrexone 50mg

Buying naltrexone 50mg is the most common scenario because 50 mg tablets are widely used in supervised treatment plans for alcohol dependence and for relapse prevention after opioid detoxification. From a dispensing standpoint, 50 mg is also the strength most pharmacies stock reliably, which improves both availability and price competition. If you search “naltrexone 50mg price” or “how much does naltrexone cost,” most consistent pricing examples are built around a 30-tablet supply, which approximates a one-month course when taken once daily.

In the United States, published discount price guides show naltrexone 50 mg around the low-$30 range for 30 tablets in some offers, and other price guides list lower per-tablet costs for 60-, 90-, or 100-tablet quantities. Broader consumer guidance for cash-pay pricing often places a 30-day supply in the range of roughly $25 to $108 depending on pharmacy and location. If your quoted price is unexpectedly high, ask whether the prescription was billed as a brand product, whether an “unusual and customary” cash price was applied, or whether a discount program can be used instead.

In the United Kingdom, a common pack size is 28 tablets, and official reimbursement communications have listed a benchmark of £82.15 for naltrexone 50 mg tablets (28). In private care, some providers cite monthly medication prices around £99 for a 28-tablet course, but private purchase often includes additional fees for consultation and prescribing. A pharmacy can usually tell you the dispensing-only price if you already have a private prescription, which helps you separate medication cost from service cost.

Naltrexone 50mg Price

If you are paying cash in the U.S., it is reasonable to treat naltrexone 50 mg as a “shop around” generic. Published references show 30 tablets priced around $32 in some discount scenarios, and other price guides show per-tablet costs around $1 with larger quantities. The fastest way to find a lower price is to call two or three local pharmacies and ask for the cash price for your exact quantity and strength, then ask whether they accept a specific discount program. This is a standard pharmacy conversation, and reputable pharmacies handle it routinely.

In Canada, formulary unit prices offer a baseline, but they do not automatically equal your counter price. For example, a provincial drug benefit listing shows a unit price of about C$2.8075 for naltrexone 50 mg tablets, and what you pay depends on provincial eligibility, private coverage, and dispensing fees. If you have insurance, the pharmacy can often tell you your expected copay before you finalise the fill, which helps you avoid surprises at pickup.

In Australia, PBS eligibility often defines affordability. The PBS listing for naltrexone hydrochloride 50 mg tablets (pack of 30) shows a general patient charge around A$31.60, while the dispensed price for maximum quantity is around A$96.24, illustrating what a non-subsidised private purchase can resemble. If you have concessional status or you reach the PBS Safety Net threshold, your out-of-pocket may be lower than the general charge.

Buying Naltrexone 25mg

Naltrexone 25 mg is less commonly stocked than 50 mg, but it is frequently used for titration when a clinician wants a slower start or when a patient is sensitive to side effects. In some practices, prescribers achieve a “25 mg start” by recommending tablet splitting of a 50 mg product, but this is only appropriate when the tablet is suitable for splitting and when the prescriber confirms the plan. If you are searching “buy naltrexone 25mg online,” expect more variation in availability because many pharmacies prioritise stocking the 50 mg strength.

Where a manufactured 25 mg tablet is not readily available, some regions rely on compounding for low-dose forms. Compounded products can be legitimate when prepared by a licensed compounding pharmacy, but they are often priced higher due to labour, quality control, and smaller-batch economics. If cost control matters, ask your clinician and pharmacist whether a safe titration strategy can be achieved with standard products already stocked, rather than paying premium pricing for a less common dosage form.

Operationally, the most important purchasing step is to confirm availability before you schedule a start date. If your plan depends on a 25 mg supply and the pharmacy needs to order it, you can lose several days. A brief pre-check avoids treatment gaps and reduces unnecessary back-and-forth between clinic and pharmacy.

Buying Vivitrol 380mg

Vivitrol 380 mg is an extended-release injectable formulation of naltrexone administered intramuscularly about once every four weeks. It is commonly chosen when adherence to daily tablets is difficult, when a supervised monthly schedule fits a structured programme, or when a clinician wants a consistent dosing pattern that does not rely on daily patient decisions. Because it is injected, it is typically obtained through a clinic, hospital outpatient setting, or a coordinated specialty pharmacy pathway rather than a retail pickup.

Vivitrol cost is the largest practical barrier for many patients. Published U.S. price references list the drug at roughly $1,659 for one 380 mg dose, and real-world costs can be higher once administration and clinic fees are included. Manufacturer savings programs may reduce eligible patients’ copays and can have defined maximum monthly savings per prescription, but eligibility and rules differ by insurance type. Before starting, ask the clinic to run benefits verification and provide a patient-friendly estimate that includes administration fees and visit costs.

From a market standpoint, Vivitrol is a significant branded product within addiction treatment. Alkermes reported full-year 2024 Vivitrol net sales of $457.3 million and later updated 2025 net sales expectations to approximately $460–$470 million. These figures do not represent what a patient pays at the counter, but they contextualise why the product is managed as a specialty brand with payer controls, prior authorisation, and site-of-care coordination.

Pros and Cons: Oral Naltrexone vs. Vivitrol Injection

• Pros of oral naltrexone (tablets): lower cost; broad pharmacy availability; flexible dosing; and easier discontinuation under clinician guidance.
• Cons of oral naltrexone (tablets): requires daily adherence; missed doses reduce continuity; and early nausea or headache can lead to discontinuation without supportive counselling.
• Pros of Vivitrol (380 mg injection): monthly administration supports adherence; observed administration fits structured programmes; and dosing is consistent over the month.
• Cons of Vivitrol (380 mg injection): high cost; requires clinic administration; injection-site reactions are possible; and insurance rules may require prior authorisation or step therapy.

In practice, the “best” option is the one you can access consistently, afford over time, and adhere to with appropriate clinical follow-up. A theoretically ideal choice that cannot be obtained or maintained is not a practical solution. A clinician and pharmacist can help you match formulation to treatment goals, coverage, and day-to-day realities.

Generic Naltrexone vs. Brand Options

Generic naltrexone is widely available and is usually the preferred choice when affordability and straightforward pharmacy access are priorities. Historic brand names for oral naltrexone include Revia, and brand pricing is typically higher than generic pricing even when the active ingredient is the same. For most patients, generic oral naltrexone is clinically acceptable, and the purchasing decision is driven more by insurance formulary status and availability than by differences in clinical effect.

The more meaningful “brand vs. generic” comparison is oral generic naltrexone versus brand-name extended-release Vivitrol. Vivitrol is not simply a premium label; it is a different dosage form with a different distribution pathway, administration requirement, and billing model. That is why consumers should compare options as “monthly total cost and access” rather than “price per milligram.” The injection may make sense for adherence reasons, but it should be chosen based on clinical fit and a realistic coverage plan.

When shopping, ask your prescriber to write for generic naltrexone unless there is a specific clinical reason not to, and ask the pharmacy whether generic substitution is allowed under local rules. For patients on longer-term therapy, modest savings compound over time, so even small per-fill differences can matter.

Cheapest Naltrexone

“Cheapest naltrexone” is a common search, but the correct goal is the lowest legitimate out-of-pocket cost for a verified product. In the U.S., the most effective and lawful cost levers are generic substitution, comparison shopping across reputable pharmacies, and the use of established discount programs. Published price guides show 50 mg tablets in the low-$30 range for 30 tablets in some discount examples and around $1 per tablet for larger quantities, but pricing varies by region and pharmacy contracts.

If you have insurance, the cheapest channel is often the plan’s preferred pharmacy because negotiated rates and copay tiers reduce cost even for generics. If you are uninsured, cash pricing plus discounts can still be affordable for tablets, but it is important to confirm the final price before dispensing. For Vivitrol, “cheapest” usually means “covered”: clinic benefit verification and manufacturer assistance, where eligible, can be far more impactful than shopping list prices.

A critical warning for bargain hunting is simple: do not trade safety for a lower number. Sites that bypass prescriptions, obscure the pharmacy’s licensing, or ship from unclear sources are not appropriate. In addiction medicine, continuity matters, and unreliable supply can undermine progress quickly.

Buying Naltrexone Without Insurance

Buying naltrexone without insurance is common during job transitions, plan switches, or gaps in coverage. In the U.S., widely cited cash-pay estimates place a 30-day supply of 50 mg tablets in the range of roughly $25 to $108 depending on pharmacy and location, and published discount references show pricing near the low end in some settings. If you are cash-paying, ask the pharmacy to quote both the cash price and any discount-program price it can apply; the difference can be meaningful.

Another practical strategy is to ask your prescriber whether a larger fill (such as a 60- or 90-day supply) is clinically appropriate, because per-tablet pricing can drop with larger quantities and you avoid repeating dispensing fees. Also confirm that the prescription is written as generic naltrexone rather than brand-only instructions. If you are in a structured treatment programme, ask whether it has preferred pharmacies or negotiated pricing; some systems reduce out-of-pocket costs through established contracts and predictable refill workflows.

For Vivitrol, uninsured purchase is usually not realistic without assistance. If you are considering the injection while uninsured, ask about patient assistance services and whether the clinic has a benefits team that can explore coverage options. The most common barrier is not medical eligibility; it is administrative alignment between payer rules, site-of-care billing, and prior authorisation requirements.

Buying Naltrexone in the USA

In the United States, naltrexone is available as generic oral tablets through most retail and mail-order pharmacies, and as the brand-name extended-release injection Vivitrol through clinic-coordinated channels. If you are searching “naltrexone USA” or “where to buy naltrexone,” the first practical step is to confirm you have a prescription and that appropriate screening has been completed, particularly opioid-free status when initiating therapy. Most delays occur when pharmacies need to clarify directions, quantity, or whether the prescription should be dispensed as generic.

Pricing for the generic is commonly favourable. Published discount pricing examples list naltrexone 50 mg at about $32 for 30 tablets in some offers, and consumer guidance suggests a typical cash-pay range of roughly $25 to $108 for a 30-day supply depending on where you fill it. If your insurance copay is higher than a discount cash price, ask whether you can pay cash for that fill; for generics, this is often feasible and can be cost-effective.

From a utilisation standpoint, naltrexone appears as a regularly prescribed medication with a mid-range ranking in national utilisation datasets (for example, around rank #254 in 2021 in one database). This does not guarantee same-day stock everywhere, but it does reflect broad distribution and familiarity, which usually improves refill reliability and reduces “special order” delays once the regimen is stable.

Where to Buy Naltrexone in the USA

You can buy naltrexone in the USA at major chain pharmacies, independent pharmacies, and licensed mail-order services. If you want to order naltrexone online, choose services that disclose pharmacy licensure and require a prescription for every fill. For Vivitrol, your clinic typically directs you to the correct channel because administration is scheduled and billing is handled differently than tablets.

If cost is your priority, ask for three numbers: the insurance copay, the cash price, and the discount-program price accepted by that pharmacy. This avoids guesswork and lets you choose the lowest legitimate out-of-pocket option for your circumstances. The pharmacy’s ability to quote these options clearly is also a practical trust signal.

Buying Naltrexone in Canada

In Canada, naltrexone is dispensed by prescription through community pharmacies and through online pharmacy services that comply with Canadian regulatory standards. Coverage is not uniform because provincial drug plans and private insurance differ, so out-of-pocket cost can range from minimal copays to near-full cost plus dispensing fees. If you search “naltrexone Canada” or “buy naltrexone online Canada,” begin by confirming which dispensing channels your plan recognises and whether mail delivery is available for your prescription.

Public formulary listings provide useful benchmarks. For example, a provincial drug benefit listing shows a unit price of about C$2.8075 per tablet for naltrexone 50 mg tablets, which can help you estimate the base medication cost. Your counter price may be lower if you have coverage, and it may vary by pharmacy due to dispensing fees. If your prescriber approves, longer fills can reduce the impact of per-dispense fees.

For cross-border sourcing, keep the legal and safety framework in mind. Not every Canadian pharmacy will ship to every destination, and any legitimate service should still require a prescription and perform verification. If price is your main driver, focus on regulated options rather than informal sellers; the goal is affordable continuity, not a one-time risky purchase.

Buying Naltrexone in the UK

In the United Kingdom, naltrexone is a prescription-only medicine that may be obtained through the NHS when clinically indicated and available, or via private prescriptions and structured private programmes. If you search “naltrexone UK” or “naltrexone England,” the practical determinant is access to a prescriber who can manage treatment and monitoring rather than the existence of a pharmacy that can order the product. Pharmacists can dispense, but the prescriber must establish the plan and confirm suitability.

For pricing context, NHS reimbursement communications have listed a benchmark of £82.15 for naltrexone 50 mg tablets (28). In private care, some programmes cite medication prices around £100 for 28 tablets, but private purchase often includes additional fees such as consultation charges, prescribing fees, and pharmacy dispensing fees. Ask for a written breakdown so you can compare options fairly rather than comparing a bundled private service price to an NHS benchmark price.

As with any online purchase, be strict about legitimacy. A compliant UK provider will require a valid prescription or provide a regulated prescriber assessment, will disclose pharmacy registration details, and will offer pharmacist contact options. If the process resembles a supplement checkout rather than a prescription workflow, it is not an appropriate channel for a medication used in addiction care.

Buying Naltrexone in Australia

In Australia, naltrexone hydrochloride 50 mg tablets are listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), and PBS eligibility is often the difference between a modest monthly cost and a private (non-subsidised) price. If you search “naltrexone Australia,” confirm whether your prescription is PBS-eligible and whether you have the appropriate entitlement status. Under PBS listings, patient charges are defined, and additional rules apply to dispensing fees and Safety Net thresholds.

The PBS listing for naltrexone hydrochloride 50 mg tablets (pack of 30) shows a general patient charge of about A$31.60. The same listing indicates a dispensed price for maximum quantity around A$96.24, which is a practical reference for what a private purchase can resemble if PBS subsidy is not applied. Many Australian pharmacy retailers display PBS pricing alongside entitlement prompts, which helps explain why different patients may see different prices for the same product.

Australian pharmacies generally do not offer international shipping for prescription-only PBS medicines, and reputable pharmacies will follow those restrictions. If you need the medication during travel, plan ahead with your prescriber and pharmacy to maintain continuity within lawful supply rules.

Naltrexone for Sale

The safest approach is to treat naltrexone like any regulated prescription medication: require a prescription, buy from a licensed pharmacy, and confirm that the product you receive matches the dispensing label. That includes checking the strength, quantity, and manufacturer details, and contacting the pharmacist if anything looks inconsistent.

For tablets, verify packaging integrity and keep the medication in the original container with the dispensing label. For injections, administration should occur in a clinical setting with appropriate handling and documentation, including recording the lot number in the medical record. These steps are routine in pharmacy practice and protect you from substitution errors and supply-chain problems.

If cost is your main concern, use legitimate cost-reduction routes: generic substitution, pharmacy-to-pharmacy price comparisons, and formal discount or assistance programmes. These options reduce cost without increasing risk. The combination of a prescription plus a regulated pharmacy supply chain is the practical minimum standard for safe purchasing.

Alternatives and Related Options Patients Compare

Patients frequently compare naltrexone with other evidence-based options in addiction care. For opioid use disorder, buprenorphine and methadone are commonly used alternatives, and for alcohol dependence, acamprosate is often discussed alongside naltrexone. These medications are not interchangeable; they have different mechanisms, monitoring requirements, and access pathways. A prescriber’s recommendation should reflect clinical history, current substance use pattern, comorbidities, and the type of support system available.

Naltrexone also appears in combination products for weight management as naltrexone/bupropion (for example, Contrave in the U.S.). These products have distinct dosing schedules and pricing, and they are not a substitute for naltrexone tablets used in addiction treatment. If weight management is your goal, use an appropriate prescriber pathway and a product indicated and monitored for that purpose rather than attempting component substitution.

You may also see “low-dose naltrexone” (LDN) discussed online. LDN generally refers to compounded low-dose preparations used off-label for various conditions, and it has different dispensing pathways and variable evidence depending on the indication. If you are considering LDN, treat it as a separate clinical decision that still requires a legitimate prescriber and a licensed compounding pharmacy.

Real-World Demand and Sales Signals

For consumers evaluating whether a therapy is established and consistently supplied, demand signals can be useful. In the U.S., naltrexone appears as a regularly prescribed medication with a mid-range common-use ranking in utilisation datasets (for example, around #254 in 2021 in one published database). This ranking does not guarantee stock in every pharmacy on every day, but it does indicate broad distribution and familiarity, which typically improves refill reliability once a regimen is established.

For the injectable form, sales reporting provides a clearer commercial signal. Alkermes reported Vivitrol net sales of $457.3 million for full-year 2024 and later updated 2025 net sales expectations to approximately $460–$470 million. These figures reinforce that Vivitrol remains a high-volume specialty product, consistent with the coverage management and site-of-care coordination that patients often encounter.

Older utilisation research also helps contextualise scale. A U.S. analysis of Medicaid data reported that Vivitrol prescriptions increased substantially after approval, reaching 216,561 prescriptions in 2018 across nearly all U.S. states. While patient-level access still varies by insurance and geography, the overall signal is that both oral and injectable naltrexone are established within modern treatment systems.

Buying and Using Naltrexone

After purchase, common consumer questions are practical: storage, refills, timing, and what to do about side effects. Oral naltrexone tablets are typically stored at room temperature in the original container, away from heat and moisture. Many pharmacies can set up refill reminders, which is valuable because adherence is a major driver of outcomes in both alcohol and opioid relapse prevention settings.

Side effects such as nausea or headache can occur, particularly early in treatment. Many patients find that taking the tablet with food or adjusting the time of day can improve tolerability, and pharmacists can provide practical guidance consistent with the prescriber’s plan. If side effects are severe, persistent, or accompanied by new symptoms, contact the prescriber rather than stopping abruptly without discussion, because there may be alternative strategies or supportive treatments that improve adherence.

If you are transitioning between oral and injectable forms, avoid self-directed switching. Many programmes use an oral tolerability period before the injection, and clinics may have specific protocols for confirming opioid-free status prior to administration. Coordinating timing with your prescriber and the dispensing channel helps prevent gaps in coverage and avoids paying twice for overlapping supplies.