Precautions
Who qualifies for VIVITROL?
A patient with a prescription for VIVITROL for an FDA-approved indication who is 18 years or older may be eligible for the VIVITROL ® Co-pay Savings Program card. Eligible participants include: Patients with commercial health insurance. Patients with no insurance or cash-paying patients.
Is VIVITROL covered by medical?
California Medicaid covers injectable naltrexone (Vivitrol®) under FFS plans. Patients must be enrolled in, or have documented proof of, SUD* counseling for Vivitrol coverage. Vivitrol is listed as a medical benefit under FFS plans. Vivitrol is not listed on the state's preferred drug list under FFS plans.
Can a pharmacist administer VIVITROL?
Your office can order VIVITROL directly from a distributor or through a pharmacy (specialty or other). Please see Important Safety Information on page 9. Also see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide. Review the Medication Guide with your patients.
What is Vivitrol2gether?
Vivitrol2gether is a customized patient support services program to help you and your patients in their recovery journey from opioid dependence or alcohol dependence throughout fulfillment and transition of care. With Vivitrol2gether, you choose the VIVITROL fulfillment features that work best to support your patients.
Does Vivitrol have a REMS program?
The REMS for Vivitrol (naltrexone) was originally approved on March 22, 2010, and the most recent REMS modification was approved on June 7, 2019. The REMS consists of a Medication Guide, a communication plan, and a timetable for submission of assessments of the REMS.
Is Vivitrol shot free?
Vivitrol patients, who require a monthly injection, are not drug-free, and the medication's price tag is many times that of methadone and buprenorphine.
How long does VIVITROL need to be out of the fridge before injection?
Unrefrigerated, VIVITROL Microspheres can be stored at temperatures not exceeding 25 °C (77 °F) for no more than 7 days prior to administration. Do not expose unrefrigerated product to temperatures above 25 °C (77 °F). VIVITROL should not be frozen.
How is VIVITROL dispensed?
Vivitrol is injected monthly via deep intramuscular injection in the gluteal muscle of the buttocks. Vivitrol must be injected by a health care professional, which means that patients must attend monthly appointments. Vivitrol works by acting as an antagonist on the opioid receptors.
Can pharmacist administer Invega?
Pharmacies can provide LAIs in about the same time as a flu shot. Working with providers to deliver LAIs, a pharmacy can improve adherence and expand its customer base....Antipsychotic injectable medications provided by pharmacists.Generic nameBrand namePaliperidone palmitateInvega Sustenna, Invega Trinza6 more rows•May 1, 2018
How many months can you take Vivitrol?
For example, while some individuals will continue to receive Vivitrol injections for a long time, others might only use it for a few months. Most medical professionals will recommend that Vivitrol be used for at least one year.
Is Vivitrol the same thing as Suboxone?
They are different medications, but both interact with opioid receptors in the brain. Vivitrol contains naltrexone, which is an opioid blocker. Suboxone contains buprenorphine, which is an opioid activator. (Suboxone also contains naloxone, another opioid blocker.
How often do you get the Vivitrol shot?
VIVITROL is available in one dose, 380 mg, delivered intramuscularly every 4 weeks or once a month by a healthcare provider.
Is naltrexone covered by Medi Cal?
This monthly Naltrexone injection reduces alcohol and opiate cravings and is covered by Medi-Cal.
Does MD Medicaid cover Vivitrol?
Maryland Medicaid covers injectable naltrexone (Vivitrol®) under both FFS and MC plans. Under MC plans, patients must be enrolled in, or have documented proof, of SUD* counseling for Vivitrol coverage.
Is there a generic for Vivitrol?
No. There is currently no therapeutically equivalent version of Vivitrol available in the United States. Note: Fraudulent online pharmacies may attempt to sell an illegal generic version of Vivitrol. These medications may be counterfeit and potentially unsafe.
Does Medicaid cover Vivitrol in Michigan?
products. Michigan Medicaid covers injectable naltrexone (Vivitrol®) under both FFS and MC plans. Patients do not need to be enrolled in, or have documented proof of, SUD* counseling for Vivitrol coverage. Vivitrol is covered as a medical and pharmacy benefit under both FFS and MC plans.
How It Works
This medication is used to treat alcohol abuse. It is used only in people who have been able to stop drinking for some time before starting treatment with naltrexone.
May Treat: Alcoholism · Relapse to opioid dependence
Drug Class: Alcohol Abstinence Therapy - Opioid Receptor Antagonist-Type
Availability: Prescription Required
Pregnancy: Consult a doctor before using
Lactation: Consult a doctor before using
May Treat: Alcoholism · Relapse to opioid dependence
Drug Class: Alcohol Abstinence Therapy - Opioid Receptor Antagonist-Type
Availability: Prescription Required
Pregnancy: Consult a doctor before using
Lactation: Consult a doctor before using
Alcohol: Limit intake while taking this medication
Driving: May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Use caution
Manufacturer: ALKERMES INC · CEPHALON, INC.-T
- Before use, important to read the Medication Guide
- Injected into muscle of buttock.
- Given by a nurse, doctor, or pharmacist.
- Before use, important to read the Medication Guide
- Injected into muscle of buttock.
- Given by a nurse, doctor, or pharmacist.
- Avoid drinking alcohol
- Do not use narcotics
- Call MD if new abdominal pain/yellowing eyes/skin
- Redness/pain/swelling may occur at injection site.
- May make you drowsy or dizzy. Drive with caution
Upsides
Downsides
Bottom Line
Tips
Response and Effectiveness
- VIP3 Program for Vivitrol, a patient assistance program provided by Cephalon, Inc., offers Vivitrol at no cost for up to 1 year to those who are eligible for the program. Eligibility is based off of the following requirements: - You must not be covered by private or public health insurance. - You must meet an undisclosed income guideline. The medic...
Interactions
References
Further Information
- Vivitrol is a brand (trade) name for naltrexone injection that may be used to treat alcohol use disorder and opioid dependence. It helps people maintain sobriety by reducing or controlling cravings...
- Vivitrol reversibly binds to the mu opioid receptor which blocks the effects of opioids (also called narcotics). Examples of opioids include morphine, heroin, and codeine.
- Vivitrol is a brand (trade) name for naltrexone injection that may be used to treat alcohol use disorder and opioid dependence. It helps people maintain sobriety by reducing or controlling cravings...
- Vivitrol reversibly binds to the mu opioid receptor which blocks the effects of opioids (also called narcotics). Examples of opioids include morphine, heroin, and codeine.
- How Vivitrol works in alcoholism is not completely understood; however, some experts believe it works by blocking the effects of naturally occurring opioids (such as endorphins).
- Do not confuse naltrexone (the active ingredient of Vivitrol) with naloxone (Narcan), which strips the opioid from the opioid receptor and is used for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose.
Side effects
- Vivitrol may be used to treat alcohol dependence in patients who are able to abstain from alcohol in an outpatient setting prior to the initiation of Vivitrol. Patients should not be actively drink...
- May also be used to prevent relapse in people who have detoxed off opioids.
- Vivitrol has also been shown to improve abstention rates, reduce the number of drinking day…
- Vivitrol may be used to treat alcohol dependence in patients who are able to abstain from alcohol in an outpatient setting prior to the initiation of Vivitrol. Patients should not be actively drink...
- May also be used to prevent relapse in people who have detoxed off opioids.
- Vivitrol has also been shown to improve abstention rates, reduce the number of drinking days, and reduce the risk of relapse. It also reduces alcohol and narcotic cravings.
- Vivitrol does not cause physical or psychological dependence and is not considered a drug of abuse. Tolerance to Vivitrol's effect does not appear to occur.
Prevention
- If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include: 1. Nausea, a headache, depression, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, and sleepiness are the most common side effects reported. Generally, Vivitrol is well-tolerated in people who are genuinely opioid-free. 2. Vivitrol i…
Mechanism of action
- Vivitrol is used for the treatment of alcohol or opioid addiction alongside social therapy and psychotherapy. It is administered by intramuscular injection by a health professional once every four weeks. People taking Vivitrol need to have completely stopped drinking and not taken opioids seven to fourteen days prior.
Contraindications
- Vivitrol should be used in addition to comprehensive social and psychotherapeutic measures to reduce opioid or alcohol addiction.
- Always carry identification that alerts medical personnel to the fact you are taking Vivitrol. A Vivitrol medication card is available from most treatment centers for this purpose.
- If you try and self-administer opioids while taking Vivitrol, you will not perceive any effect.
- Vivitrol should be used in addition to comprehensive social and psychotherapeutic measures to reduce opioid or alcohol addiction.
- Always carry identification that alerts medical personnel to the fact you are taking Vivitrol. A Vivitrol medication card is available from most treatment centers for this purpose.
- If you try and self-administer opioids while taking Vivitrol, you will not perceive any effect.
- Stop Vivitrol and see your doctor immediately if you develop abdominal pain lasting more than a few days, white bowel movements, dark urine, or yellowing of your eyes.
Treatment
- Peak plasma levels of naltrexone, the active component of Vivitrol, reach a transient initial peak approximately two hours after injection, followed by a second peak that occurs two to three days l...
- Compared to oral naltrexone 50mg given daily, total naltrexone exposure is three to four-fold higher after a single dose of Vivitrol 380mg IM.