Naltrexone Protocols
Administration
1) All patients will have a blood sample taken for LFT before starting Naltrexone.
2) Any clinical sign or symptom related with acute hepatitis or liver failure will exclude the patient of any Naltrexone prescription until complete evaluation including blood tests is performed.
3) All patients on Naltrexone should carry Naltrexone alert card.
4) There should be a 10 day period between last recorded opiate consumption and starting Naltrexone, or 3 days following Buprenorphine detox, unless a detoxification procedure has been undertaken.
5) Following one negative opiate urine drug screen, the patient can be commenced on a initial dose of 25mg daily (1/2 a tablet), increasing to 50mg daily after 3-4 days.
6) The patient will then be prescribed 50mg Naltrexone daily for at least 6/12, providing they comply with their treatment compact.
After completing an opiate detox satisfactorily, Naltrexone can be prescribed for abstinence maintenance.
Naltrexone pharmacological action consists in blocking opiate receptors for up to 72 hours without producing the intense effects of opiates, and avoiding this to act if taken.
Naltrexone comes in 50 mg tablets taken orally and blocks the effects of all opiates for up to 72 hours.
Patients need to be aware that an attempt to overcome the block could result in acute opiate intoxication and possible death, therefore a leaflet containing information and facts related to Naltrexone treatment will be given, and at the same time a specific compact for Naltrexone will be signed by the patient.
Naltrexone is considered to be effective and is utilised in the prevention of relapse in opiates dependant clients.
Naltrexone pharmacological action consists in blocking opiate receptors for up to 72 hours without producing the intense effects of opiates, and avoiding this to act if taken.
Naltrexone comes in 50 mg tablets taken orally and blocks the effects of all opiates for up to 72 hours.
Patients need to be aware that an attempt to overcome the block could result in acute opiate intoxication and possible death, therefore a leaflet containing information and facts related to Naltrexone treatment will be given, and at the same time a specific compact for Naltrexone will be signed by the patient.
Naltrexone is considered to be effective and is utilised in the prevention of relapse in opiates dependant clients.
Administration
1) All patients will have a blood sample taken for LFT before starting Naltrexone.
2) Any clinical sign or symptom related with acute hepatitis or liver failure will exclude the patient of any Naltrexone prescription until complete evaluation including blood tests is performed.
3) All patients on Naltrexone should carry Naltrexone alert card.
4) There should be a 10 day period between last recorded opiate consumption and starting Naltrexone, or 3 days following Buprenorphine detox, unless a detoxification procedure has been undertaken.
5) Following one negative opiate urine drug screen, the patient can be commenced on a initial dose of 25mg daily (1/2 a tablet), increasing to 50mg daily after 3-4 days.
6) The patient will then be prescribed 50mg Naltrexone daily for at least 6/12, providing they comply with their treatment compact.
Naltrexone will be administered as part of a carefully agreed treatment plan between detox team and patient.
Patients undergoing Naltrexone treatment will continue to receive monitoring plus evaluatory follow up from the unit medical team, for the duration of their treatment.
Patients undergoing Naltrexone treatment will continue to receive monitoring plus evaluatory follow up from the unit medical team, for the duration of their treatment.