Banner
woman measuring her thighs with tape

Understanding Naltrexone For Weight Loss

When used on its own, Naltrexone is commonly administered to help manage alcohol dependence. Within the realm of weight loss, you will often find that Naltrexone is combined with a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor like Bupropion.

Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist, and when combined with Bupropion, regular exercise, and reduced caloric intake, it can help people reach their weight loss goals. This article will explore how Naltrexone can help with weight loss, as well as examine its efficacy and potential side effects.

Get At-Home Medical Weight Loss Therapy

Lose weight with FDA-approved semaglutide weight loss injections (the same ingredient in Wegovy & Ozempic). If you are eligible, in-home medical weight loss treatments may help you reach your health goals.

What is Naltrexone?

A medication administered for a variety of purposes, Naltrexone positively affects your brain’s reward system.

However, the medical alliance of Naltrexone and Bupropion has been shown to influence healthy eating behaviors and increase weight loss efforts.1 Not only can it be used to start a weight loss journey, but it can also be helpful for maintaining weight in the long term.

As mentioned above, Naltrexone is meant to be used in conjunction with proper diet and exercise. A concurrent focus on nutrition and being physically active allows this treatment to reach its true potential.

woman in her underwear measuring her thighs with tape

Just like any other medication, Naltrexone is not appropriate for everybody, as it could potentially interfere with other medications or conditions.

Be Transparent With Your Physician

Having an open discussion about the current state of your health with your doctor should come before Naltrexone is seen as an option. This initial consultation is crucial due to the possibility that the drug could harm other aspects of your health and potentially put you at a higher risk.

Make a point to discuss any of the following conditions with your doctor before considering Naltrexone for weight loss:

How the medication is used is also an essential element of the effectiveness of Naltrexone. It can be taken with or without food, but sticking to a consistent meal schedule can help you see optimal results. It’s vital to follow the dosage information and continue with the prescription schedule until your doctor says otherwise.

  • Depression
  • Glaucoma
  • High blood pressure
  • Eating disorder
  • History of alcohol or drug abuse

How the medication is used is also an essential element of the effectiveness of Naltrexone. It can be taken with or without food, but sticking to a consistent meal schedule can help you see optimal results. It’s vital to follow the dosage information and continue with the prescription schedule until your doctor says otherwise.

A few of the potential health concerns related to Naltrexone include depression, hypertension, and seizures. This medication is intended for adults and should never be given to adolescents or individuals with uncontrolled high blood pressure.

The daily dosage of Naltrexone should not exceed two tablets per day. A physician will provide a dosage schedule that caters to the needs of each patient. Naltrexone is generally safe for most adults without existing health conditions that can cause additional problems.

Naltrexone can be effective in the right circumstances, but like any drug, patients should be cautious to avoid drug abuse at all costs. Considering Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist, it’s associated with acute opioid misuse and withdrawal.

Working alongside the healthy benefits of a balanced diet and regular exercise, Naltrexone can be an effective weight loss approach for individuals facing challenges in reaching their desired weight and figure. Considering the obstacles encountered along the road to fitness, Naltrexone offers an added solution to help speed up the process.

On a clinical level, Naltrexone hasn’t been compared to other pharmacologic weight loss treatments. However, a 2021 study determined the combination of Naltrexone and Bupropion to be beneficial in helping overweight individuals achieve weight loss success.2

Beyond the positive aspects of Naltrexone, there are still several other aspects of the drug that highlight the need for additional medical research.

Straightforward Application

Dosing with Naltrexone is straightforward but may need adjustments as progress begins to develop. Dosing size will inherently differ from patient to patient, but many start with a small dose and gradually move up to the maximum quantity of two tablets per day.

Your body will have time to adjust, and this is generally accomplished over four weeks before having to renew the prescription. It’s important to note that if a patient does not see a 5% reduction in their body weight after 12 weeks of treatment, then further treatment is unlikely to be very helpful. For those who experience substantial results from Naltrexone, it’s typically advised that treatment is continued for at least one year for the best results.

While research is ongoing for Naltrexone, it’s becoming an increasingly popular inclusion in many kinds of weight loss treatments.

Final Thoughts

While Naltrexone may not be a suitable option for everyone, it’s a safe and effective solution for many people and comes with few side effects. In light of anyone’s weight loss journey, getting the help you need when you need it is vital.

That’s why we focus on in-home services, eliminating our patient’s need for transit to a clinic to get the medical care they deserve. Come talk with us at Concierge MD to see how we can assist you on your weight loss journey and related healthcare necessities.

Get In-Home Semaglutide, A Medical Weight Loss Treatment

Lose and maintain a healthy weight with semaglutide injections (the same ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic) at home. We will evaluate your eligibility and prescribe medication if appropriate. Shipments are delivered directly to your door, saving you time.

Make an appointment by clicking the button below!

References

[1] Naltrexone HCI/bupropion HCI for chronic weight management in obese adults: patient selection and perspectives. Tek C.

[2] Safety and efficacy of naltrexone for weight loss in adult patients – a systematic review. Kulak-Bejda A.



Experience Care with ConciergeMD

ConciergeMD offers coverage throughout the United States.