Learning about alcohol dependence

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Learning about alcohol dependence

Alcohol dependence is a chronic disease.
You are not alone.

Almost 18 million adults in the United States abuse alcohol or are alcohol dependent.2 Many people feel that not being able to quit is a personal weakness. It isn’t.

Alcohol dependence is a chronic illness and causes serious problems with relationships, health, work, and finances. However, alcohol dependence is a treatable disease. A combination of medications, counseling, and mutual-support groups is among the therapies that can provide ongoing support to help you recover from alcohol dependence.3

A main feature of alcohol dependence is "lack of control" over alcohol use or drinking more than intended.4

Lack of control is due in part to a biologic urge to drink, which is present in alcohol dependent patients but not in social drinkers.5

If you would like more information on alcohol dependence and treatment options, please talk with your doctor or healthcare provider.

Important Safety Information1

What is VIVITROL?

VIVITROL is an injectable medicine for the treatment of alcohol dependence in adults 18 years and older.

To benefit from VIVITROL, you need to stop drinking before starting the medicine.

To be effective, treatment with VIVITROL must be used along with other alcohol dependence recovery measures, such as counseling.

VIVITROL may not work for everyone.

VIVITROL has not been studied in children under the age of 18.

What important information should I know about VIVITROL?

VIVITROL may be associated with liver damage or hepatitis.

Call your doctor if you develop stomach area pain lasting more than a few days, light-colored bowel movements, dark urine, or yellowing of your eyes

VIVITROL blocks the effects of opioid-containing medicines.

You may not feel the same effects of opioid-containing medicines including medicines for pain, cough, and diarrhea
You may not feel the same effects if you use or abuse heroin and other illegal (street) opioids
Do not take large amounts of opioid medicines to overcome the VIVITROL block. This can lead to serious injury, coma, or death

VIVITROL has been associated with severe allergic pneumonia.

Call your doctor if you develop shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing

Who should not take VIVITROL?

Do not take VIVITROL if you:

Are taking or have a physical dependence on opioid-containing medicines. (See What important information should I know about VIVITROL? )
Use or have a physical dependence on opioid street drugs. (See What important information should I know about VIVITROL? )
Are allergic to VIVITROL. The active ingredient is naltrexone. For a complete list of ingredients in VIVITROL, see the Patient Information

What should I tell my doctor before starting VIVITROL?

Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

Have liver problems
Use opioid-containing medicines
Use or abuse street (illegal) drugs
Have hemophilia or other bleeding problems
Have kidney problems
Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if VIVITROL can harm your unborn baby
Are breastfeeding. It is not known if VIVITROL passes into your milk, and if it can harm your baby

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take any opioid-containing medicines for pain, cough, or diarrhea. (See What important information should I know about VIVITROL? )

Carry written information to alert medical personnel that you are taking VIVITROL so that they can treat you properly in an emergency.

How do I take VIVITROL?

VIVITROL is given as an intramuscular injection in your buttocks. It is injected by your doctor or healthcare provider about once a month. Because VIVITROL is an injection, once it is given, you cannot remove it from the body.

If you miss your appointment for a VIVITROL injection, schedule another appointment as soon as possible.

Whenever you need medical treatment, be sure to tell the treating doctor or nurse that you are receiving VIVITROL injections.

What should I avoid while taking VIVITROL?

VIVITROL may make you feel dizzy. Do not drive a car, work with machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you and your doctor know how VIVITROL affects you. (See What are the possible side effects of VIVITROL?)

What are the possible side effects of VIVITROL?

VIVITROL may cause side effects including:

A reaction at the injection site. The reaction could be pain, tenderness, swelling, redness, bruising, and/or itching. Sometimes reactions at the injection site can quickly worsen and skin and other tissue can be permanently damaged and require surgery. If you have an injection site reaction, tell your doctor or healthcare provider
Nausea

Other common side effects of VIVITROL are:

Headache
Fatigue
Dizziness
Vomiting
Decreased appetite
Painful joints
Muscle cramps

Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the side effects of VIVITROL. For more information, ask your doctor or healthcare provider.