Vivitrol vs. Narcan

Vivitrol (naltrexone) injection and Narcan (naloxone) are opioid antagonists used to treat alcohol dependence and prevent relapse to opioid dependence.

Vivitrol is also used to treat alcohol dependence.

Narcan is also used for diagnosis of suspected or known acute opioid overdose and also for blood pressure support in septic shock.

Side effects of Vivitrol and Narcan that are similar include nausea, dizziness, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, tiredness, and weakness.

Side effects of Vivitrol that are different from Narcan include headache, anxiety, loss of appetite, increased thirst, muscle or joint aches, sleep problems (insomnia), decreased sex drive, impotence, and difficulty having an orgasm.

Side effects of Narcan that are different from Vivitrol include flushing, body aches, diarrhea, stomach pain, fever, chills, goosebumps, sneezing, shortness of breath, and runny nose.

Vivitrol may interact with narcotic pain medications.

Narcan may interact with other drugs.

You should not receive a Vivitrol injection or Narcan if you still use opioid medicine, or you could have sudden and severe withdrawal symptoms.

Common side effects of Vivitrol include:

• nausea,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• anxiety,
• nervousness,
• restlessness,
• irritability,
• tiredness,
• loss of appetite,
• increased thirst,
• muscle or joint aches,
• weakness,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• decreased sex drive,
• impotence, or
• difficulty having an orgasm.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Narcan?    Common side effects of Narcan and narcotic drug withdrawal are:

• flushing,
• dizziness,
• tiredness,
• weakness,
• nervousness,
• restlessness,
• irritability,
• body aches,
• diarrhea,
• stomach pain,
• nausea,
• fever,
• chills,
• goosebumps,
• sneezing,
• shortness of breath, or
• runny nose.

Severe side effects of Narcan include:

• agitation,
• high or low blood pressure,
• cardiac arrhythmias,
• shortness of breath,
• pulmonary edema,
• abnormal brain function (encephalopathy),
• seizures,
• coma, and
• death.

Vivitrol (naltrexone) for Extended-Release Injectable Suspension is an opioid antagonist used to treat alcohol dependence and prevent relapse to opioid dependence.

Narcan (naloxone) is an opioid antagonist used for the complete or partial reversal of opioid overdose, including respiratory depression. Narcan is also used for diagnosis of suspected or known acute opioid overdose and also for blood pressure support in septic shock. Narcan is available in generic form.

Vivitrol may interact with narcotic pain medications including buprenorphine, butorphanol, codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, levorphanol, meperidine, methadone, morphine, nalbuphine, naloxone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, or propoxyphene. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you take. Do not use narcotic drugs or alcohol while taking Vivitrol. Exercise caution if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert while taking Vivitrol.

Opioid withdrawal syndrome may occur in some patients given large doses of Narcan. Studies on the use of this drug in pregnant and women who are breastfeeding have not been done. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

The recommended dosage of Vivitrol is 380 mg taken once a month. Vivitrol must be administered under a doctor's supervision.

Narcan is available as a sterile solution for intravenous, intramuscular, and subcutaneous administration in three strengths: 0.02, 0.4 and 1 mg of naloxone hydrochloride per mL in sterile solution; the 0.4 and 1 mg doses are also available in multidose vials. Use in neonates and other pediatric patients is based on weight (usually 0.01 mg per Kg) and may be adjusted; a pediatric consultant may help manages such patients.