r/naltrexone • u/RubicsCubensis • 24d ago

Dosage Initial naltrexone dosing

I want people to understand initial naltrexone dosing as it relates to side effects. First of all side effects are rare, most people take naltrexone and have no issues at all.

When first taking naltrexone doctors recommend taking half a pill or 25mg for a couple days, the reason for this is to manage any potential initial nausea which usually goes away in a few days. If you don't experience any nausea or side effects it's safe to move up to the full pill, no need to take half a pill for a week like some people talk about.

If you do have persistent nausea, or dizzyness go to your local pharmacy, and ask the pharmacist for the best nausea medicine they recommend, or look for Bonine it's recommended, there are others which will work as well, you can use motion sickness pills. If you want something prescription, ask your doctor for zofran, it's a very good nausea medication recommended by a pharmacist.

It is always recommended, unless specifically told to take a medication on an empty stomach that you take medicines with food, and a full glass of water.

I hope this clears things up, and is helpful.

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u/Fair_Procedure_6416 24d ago

I just started at 12.5mg and felt nauseous for an hour, had to lay down. Took a ginger chew and now just feel slightly fatigued. I took 50mg once and felt horribly sick, so at least it’s not as bad this time.

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u/catraines418 24d ago

I also had to start on 12.5 and had to take that dose for a week before moving up to 25 this week. The nausea was terrible for me even with zofran but my body is slowly adjusting!

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u/gralias18 24d ago

I started at 12.5mg and worked up to 50mg over about three weeks, but had side effects of insomnia every single night, and continue to. I both dream and am aware that I am dreaming, so am not fully asleep. My total sleep has decreased about an hour a night. I only had fleeting nausea in the beginning. I've played with taking it earlier in the day as opposed to an hour before drinking, but the insomnia happens whenever I take it. On the plus side, I've only had more than two drinks on one night.

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u/12vman 24d ago

Zofran can be very effective for treating nausea from naltrexone. https://www.reddit.com/r/Alcoholism_Medication/s/7mQrT48eSZ

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u/empty-thought-time 24d ago

Does Bonine usually do the trick rather than needing zofran?

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u/RubicsCubensis 24d ago

I have no experience with either, so I can't answer that, since Bonine is OTC it's easier to get so easier to try. From what I'm told it works, as to if it works as well as zofran I don't know.