Various Forms of Naltrexone

Naltrexone is marketed as an injection, a pellet for implant, and tablets for oral use. The injection lasts approximately 28 days. We recommend the pellet for several reasons:

  • The pellet lasts for 2 months (longer than the injection and tablets).

  • If there are side effects from the Naltrexone, the implanted pellet can be removed, whereas the injectable cannot be reversed once it is injected into the body.

We do not recommend the tablet form since it needs to be taken every day. Compliance becomes an issue with daily Naltrexone dosing, putting patients at a higher risk of relapse.

Dr. George has been successfully implanting the Naltrexone pellet since 2008. The implant does not need to be removed as it dissolves gradually on its own over a period of approximately two months. It is recommended to get additional Naltrexone pellet implants every two months, or the monthly injection.

The injectable form of Naltrexone is Vivitrol and is covered by most insurances. The Vivitrol website will show you which providers are available in your area. We emphasize using Naltrexone maintenance therapy after the implant dissolves by continuing with Vivitrol injections or getting additional pellet implants. Naltrexone is the answer for patients that want to be free of opiates.

Naltrexone Implant

Naltrexone is an FDA approved medicine for the treatment of opiate dependence. It blocks the brain opiate receptor and reduces cravings. Because of these two properties, we use it during our rapid All Opiates Detox under sedation treatment. Dr. George has been placing subcutaneous under the skin Naltrexone implants since 2008 . Naltrexone works relatively fast, within about 15 minutes after being administered. Naltrexone, as a competitive antagonist, will go to the opiate receptor and will displace and prevent all opiates from getting into the brain opiate receptor. With this property, Naltrexone will keep the patient clean for the length of its action, which is approximately two months with the implant. We recommend using Naltrexone for at least one year to allow the neuro-circuitry of the brain to heal. Patients who continue Naltrexone therapy will have a higher success rate.