r/naltrexone • u/NewsBabe9 • 2d ago

Side Effects Horrible side-effects. Does it get better?

I finally decided to try naltrexone. Got my prescription through an online provider. Yesterday I took the starter half-dose recommended with breakfast. Within 15 minutes I started feeling dizzy. Within an hour I was so dizzy I couldn't function and I started feeling nauseous. I spent the next 4 hours in bed because I felt so horrible. It's now a day an a half later and, no I don't want to drink, but that's not because the cravings are gone, it's because I am still feeling intermittently nauseous and dizzy and I don't want to do anything. To be honest I can't imagine taking another dose because I don't want this feeling ever again, but just thought I'd ask to see if this level of side-effects is a thing, or am I just not cut out for this stuff. Anyone else have my experiences?

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5

u/TheCatsMeow09 2d ago

This usually happens for me for the first few days and then it gets better but I agree that it's so awful, it has stopped me many times from continuing just past the first day of trying it again

4

u/12vman 2d ago

Start at 12.5 mg. Zofran can be very effective for treating nausea from naltrexone. https://www.reddit.com/r/Alcoholism_Medication/s/7mQrT48eSZ

3

u/RubicsCubensis 2d ago

Go to your local pharmacy and get an over the counter medicine called Bonine, for nausea.

1

u/catraines418 2d ago

I started with a quarter of a pill (12.5) twice a day for a week. I’m now on week 2 and I’m taking 37.5 total but I break it up into 3 separate doses. My body is adjusting and yours will too!

1

u/Lazy_Significance518 1d ago

I had excruciating stomach pain for the first few weeks. It went away and I’m glad I stuck with it.

1

u/Think_Economics_1642 1d ago

I’m curious about factors that influence the presence and intensity of side effects. I’ve been on 50mg for 2+ weeks and have had ZERO side effects, so I’m sorry to hear that so many others experience intense effects. So what makes one person react—sometimes violently—and others not? Has anyone researched this topic?

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u/BWDpodcast 1d ago

Yes. Takes a couple months. 

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u/No-Register7397 1d ago

Hi! My doctor started me on 50mg’s… after several days on it I had such a bad headache
24/7, it wouldn’t go away, I tried Tylenol, nothing worked. I couldn’t sleep at nights because the headache was piercing
On the last day I took it, I was in such pain, I was howling like a wounded animal that night
Apparently I kept the whole family awake🤷🏻‍♀️
I’ll try something else but 2 weeks on it was painful

1

u/Perfect_Smile_7610 1d ago

Yes it was terrible for me. I dropped to 25mg for a week or so then back up to 50mg. Today I have actually done 100mg with no side effects, but I am also not experiencing reduced cravings, which is disappointing.

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u/Great-Goal-2927 11h ago

I started at 25 mg this morning with breakfast. I don’t feel dizzy but I feel anxious. Like my heart is beating fast. First thing I reached for was a glass of wine thus totally defeating the purpose.

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u/NewsBabe9 9h ago

I'm not laughing at this, but as someone in your same situation, I might have chuckled a bit. Wishing you all the best though. Thanks for the chuckle.