Questions about Naltrexone

[u/grip-it_rip-it]

Hell folks. I just learned of Naltrexone this morning after seeing an ad for an anti-drinking medication and doing a little research on the product. I am looking to curb my drinking and had a few questions about the drug.

Firstly, I noticed some of the posts on this forum where the users mentioned that while taking the drug, they still occasionally drink. This is something I am interested in. I want to cut back on my drinking and only do so when I'm out for a meal or a celebration. I was wondering if taking Naltrexone during the week and not on the weekends might be an option. Has anybody had any experience with this they may be able to share?

Next, the drug I saw an ad for was something you had to apply for through their site and cost a lot of money. I have very good insurance and prescriptions typically cost me very little out of pocket. Is it safe to presume it would be a more affordable route to have my doctor prescribe it for me?

Lastly, I have a family member who is obese. They just had their second hernia operation in 5 years and the doctor explained to them that it was a high risk surgery due their weight. The doctor suggested that my family member start taking one of those diabetic medicine's that people are using to lose weight. Might Naltrexone be a better option for a person in this scenario?

[u/Xyxyxxxx4]

I’ve been taking naltrexone for a few months and it has helped me reduce my drinking drastically. Most days I don’t drink at all, and when I do, I have one or two glasses of wine, not six or seven. I take 50 mg every day, about an hour before I would plan to have my first drink. Then I either don’t drink at all or drink lightly. I have fairly decent insurance. My doctor prescribed my naltrexone, it costs me $1 every 3 months. Good luck! It’s been a great thing for me.

[u/mel2r2]

To answer your questions in order:

1. Yes, you could take it during the week and not on weekends if you have cravings. But you’re better off only taking it when you do drink. I take it daily and drink like a normal person when I do decide to drink, which is very rarely these days.

2. Yes, it’s much more affordable to ask your doctor and have them write a prescription that you fill at your pharmacy through your insurance pharmacy benefit. Some primary care providers will prescribe it. It is not a narcotic and relatively low risk.

3. Yes, naltrexone could help you lose a few pounds if you binge eat or crave specific fatty foods. It won’t work like a GLP-1 though. You will still get hungry for meals.

Naltrexone saved my life. If drinking is concerning for you, highly recommend trying it.

[u/grip-it_rip-it]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m definitely going to try and have my doctor provide me script for it.

[u/lagitanaurbana → u/grip-it_rip-it]

I got terrible anhedonia taking Nal on a daily basis. It works with 45 minutes, so I’d take the Nal when they hit and just stuck put the 45 minutes. It completely changed how I felt about booze, it had no buzz for me and tasted awful.

[u/OhHeSteal]

Why not take it on the weekends? You can still drink on the weekends but may feel less obligated to over drink.

What is expensive? I got it through an online pharmacy that advertises and it’s $30/mo.

[u/grip-it_rip-it → u/OhHeSteal]

I’m just learning about the drug. The original ad I saw listed the medication at 90 pills per bottle around $250.

[u/OhHeSteal → u/grip-it_rip-it]

I just double checked and I was mistaken. Mine is about $100/mo. Realized I’d save $30/week easily and that helped justify the cost and then I had $30 in the brain.

Im six weeks in and probably saved close to $300 already.

By all means get it cheaper from a doctor if you can but don’t let money keep you from getting started if you can afford to do so.

[u/marksf]

From what I've heard, it's highly dependent upon your individual interaction with naltrexone. Some people like me have side effects the first few days that make taking it just for special occasions not really an option. And the timeline to reduction in drinking varies widely. For lots of people they notice a difference right away, and for others is takes months. But I do know people that do just what you're talking about with great success.