How long will I be on naltrexone?

Please note: Monument does not make money from prescribing naltrexone. The cost of medication is passed through to our online pharmacy partner.

It is entirely normal to want a quick or short-term fix and to ask yourself how long you’ll be on your medication. However, alcohol use disorder is defined as a chronic condition, which means for many, treatment is a long-term strategy that changes over time. At Monument, treatment is responsive to you and your needs.

As part of that responsive plan, we have multiple medical treatment strategies to implement, including medication to stop drinking or cut back, and specialized alcohol therapy. Because treatment is personalized to you, we don’t prescribe a duration for taking medications, including naltrexone. As long as treatment is still providing a benefit for you, it is reasonable to stick with it to continue progress and prevent setbacks.

For most people, their personalized treatment plan duration is a year at minimum. There are no clinical studies for how long someone should be on naltrexone, and there is no known correlation between the severity of alcohol use disorder and the duration of treatment. To achieve long-term sobriety or moderation, we encourage you to work with your Care Team to create a treatment plan that works for you. 

Important Safety Information

Naltrexone

Naltrexone has the capacity to cause hepatocellular injury (liver injury) when given in excessive doses. Naltrexone is contraindicated in acute hepatitis or liver failure, and its use in patients with active liver disease must be carefully considered in light of its hepatotoxic effects. In the treatment of alcohol dependence, common adverse reactions include difficulty sleeping, anxiety, nervousness, abdominal pain/cramps, nausea and/or vomiting, low energy, joint and muscle pain, headache, dizziness, and somnolence. This is not a complete list of potential adverse events associated with naltrexone hydrochloride. Please see Full Prescribing Information for a complete list.