How Long Does Naltrexone Stay In Your System?

Naltrexone is an FDA-approved opioid antagonist prescription medication used to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders. It reduces cravings for both opioids and alcohol. Commonly known by its brand names, Revia, Depade (tablets), and Vivitrol (injection), naltrexone plays a key role in substance abuse treatment programs; it can be taken daily, weekly, or monthly as prescribed by the doctor.

By understanding how long does naltrexone stay in your system, you can better comprehend your treatment plan and be an active participant in your recovery journey. When taken orally, naltrexone typically stays in your system anywhere between 1-3 days. When taken as an injection, it can even last in your system for up to a month.

Naltrexone half-life refers to the time taken for your body to eliminate half of the naltrexone you had originally ingested or injected. Typically, its half-life ranges from 4 - 13 hours. However, Vivitrol has a significantly longer half-life, which can range from 5 - 10 days. Furthermore, it takes a considerable number of half-lives for your body to entirely eliminate this opioid antagonist.

Naltrexone can be detected in your system for varying periods of time depending on the method of administration and testing.

How Long Does Naltrexone Stay In Your Urine?

Naltrexone remains detectable in your urine for only about 4 - 6 hours after your last dose.

The urine test is the most commonly conducted test to detect naltrexone. It is easy to conduct, cost-effective, and yields results rather quickly.

How Long Does Naltrexone Stay In Your Hair?

Naltrexone remains detectable in your hair follicles for the longest period of time, for about 90 days.

Hair tests for naltrexone are not really common, unlike urine tests. Hair testing is a long, drawn-out process and is also quite expensive to administer. However, it can be crucial for long-term monitoring or to establish a comprehensive drug history.

How Long Does Naltrexone Stay In Your Saliva?

Naltrexone remains detectable in your saliva for up to 24 hours after your last dose.

Saliva tests are the least invasive tests when it comes to detecting naltrexone, and they are also quite useful as they yield quick results.

How Long Does Naltrexone Stay In Your Blood?

Naltrexone remains detectable in your blood for up to 24 hours after your last dose.

Blood tests are slightly more invasive than saliva tests, albeit only minimally. However, blood tests are also preferred for their accuracy in detecting the presence of the medication in your body.

Unlike habit-forming medications, naltrexone does not have the potential for misuse or dependence, and eliminating it from your system is relatively simple. When taken orally, it is rapidly absorbed into your bloodstream. Factors like metabolism, dosage, and liver function can affect how quickly naltrexone leaves your body. Therefore, maintain a nutritious diet and a certain level of physical activity, and keep your body hydrated at all times.

Overall, it takes approximately 96 hours for the medication to be entirely eliminated from your body.

Naltrexone is a quick-absorbing and fast-acting medication. However, how long it takes before the medication takes effect depends on the method of administration. If consumed orally, naltrexone starts to act and reaches its peak within 1 hour of consumption. Oral naltrexone is short-acting, and its effects last anywhere between 24 and 72 hours. Here is the standard dosage your doctor is likely to prescribe:

• One 50 mg tablet daily.
• Two 100 mg tablets every alternate day.
• Three 150 mg tablets every third day.

If taken in the injection form (Vivitrol), it starts to act and reaches its peak within 2 hours of consumption. Interestingly, it reaches a second peak 2-3 days after the initial dose. Vivitrol stays in your body anywhere between 25 and 50 days, and its effects start to decline after 2 days. Therefore, it can only be administered by a doctor once a month.

Naltrexone is a generic opioid antagonist medication. Available as Revia and Depade or Vivitrol, it is taken daily, several times a week, or once a month, depending on the method of administration suggested by your doctor. While naltrexone is not typically misused, it is still a controlled substance, so you only have to take it as per the directions of your doctor. It can give rise to some common yet manageable side effects like vomiting and cramping.

Naltrexone is highly effective in treating opioid and alcohol use disorders. As a generic opioid antagonist, it blocks the effects of opioids and alcohol and reduces the cravings for these psychoactive substances. It is a highly effective medication commonly used in substance use treatment programs like medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, which combines the benefits of psychotherapy and medication management for effective and lasting recovery.

Want to learn more about MAT? Contact the NuView Treatment Center today to begin your journey toward lasting recovery.

Call us at (323) 307-7997 or email us at info@nuviewtreatment.com now!