Prescription pill naltrexone is helping some Americans drink less alcohol

Naltrexone, an FDA-approved medication first cleared for opioid dependence, is also used to reduce alcohol cravings and is available as a daily pill or a monthly injectable.

Doctors and researchers are discussing how a decades-old medication is being used to reduce alcohol consumption. The article notes Dr. Michael Caldwell spoke about abstaining from alcohol on Fox & Friends and that recent studies continue to support the drug's use for this purpose. Naltrexone was first approved by the FDA for opioid dependence in 1984 and received approval for alcohol use disorder about a decade later. It is available both as a daily oral pill and as a monthly injectable therapy. Key facts: - Naltrexone works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, which can reduce the rewarding effects of alcohol and curb cravings. - Clinicians say it can help people who experience strong cravings, who tend to drink heavily once they start, or whose drinking is driven by reward or relief rather than habit. - The medication is used for alcohol use disorder and is often discussed alongside counseling or other therapy in the article. - Common side effects reported include nausea, headache, sleep disturbances, dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, loss of appetite, and joint or muscle pain; these effects are generally described as mild for many patients. - In rare cases, more serious effects have been reported, including liver problems, allergic reactions, breathing difficulties, and mental health effects. - The article emphasizes that naltrexone should not be taken with opioids because it can precipitate opioid withdrawal, and it notes that the drug is available only by prescription and that officials warn against purchasing it online. Summary: Naltrexone is presented as a medication that can reduce alcohol cravings and the pleasurable effects of drinking, and clinicians in the article describe it as useful for some people with alcohol use problems. Undetermined at this time.