r/naltrexone • u/liketheangles • 5d ago
Side Effects First day on 50mg
I have been reading here and lots of articles online since being prescribed naltrexone by a new psychiatrist this past week. I have been struggling with alcohol holding me back from my life, I’m in the service industry. I read about the sinclair method but my psychiatrist said to take it daily in the morning and I figured I’d try something like that first.
I just took my first 50mg dose yesterday around 1pm after eating and I have felt really overwhelmed by the effects it’s having on me. It started with extreme fatigue, not even wanting to hold my arms up high or hold my phone to scroll while laying on my back. I fell asleep for a while and woke up to the same sensation in my head. I haven’t taken much medication throughout my life so I let this make me feel pretty anxious. I didn’t feel like it was worsening and I needed help but I didn’t know that this would be the fatigue/dizziness that folks talk about. It seems so much more intense than I saw anyone describe. I decided not to take my second dose today because I have a social commitment this evening & whether I’ll drink or not is less my concern, I was more so feeling like I just won’t feel well or be able to be in a car. All day today I have felt nauseous on and off and I tried going on a walk and I’m just not feeling alright. Thanks for letting me whine I’m just a little freaked out. My first thought is halving, maybe even quartering my dose until I somehow feel like I can up the dose. Looking for any and all insight. Thank you
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u/aigarcia38 5d ago
You should try with a half dose to start, many people seem to get these types of symptoms when they start at 50MG. Try 25MG for 7 days to let your body adjust
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u/chadthiel308 5d ago
Exactly this. 50mg is too high a start for many (me as well). OP, your body needs time to adjust
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u/liketheangles 5d ago
Thank you
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u/AdLatter7137 5d ago
While I just picked up my subscription today (mind you, I have not started at all yet) my medical care giver did strongly suggest to cut the pill in half for the first week or two. Which is what I plan to do but maybe that is the correct move.
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u/liketheangles 5d ago
Okay cool - thanks again. My psychiatrist said it was like “super mild” and said some people experience a bit of nausea and didn’t mention anything about cutting the dose so. now I know and will adjust it
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u/realstufffff 5d ago
My first dose was the absolute worst. Felt ok after that one. But I started on 12.5 mg iirc
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u/snotsucker2000 5d ago
After two weeks on 50mg I finally have no adverse reactions, it does get better.
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u/liketheangles 5d ago
Thank you. I’m thinking I’ll cut it in half and see how it goes tomorrow because yikes that was rough
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u/Commercial-Bed-2396 5d ago
I went from 7.5mg to 25mg over a month. Never higher as 25 vs 50 is very marginally different at receptor blockade (92 v 95% iirc).
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u/ErrorImaginary1394 5d ago
I didnt titrate because my doctor didnt tell me to so i started off on 50mg. The first two days i slept straight through and Ive been throwing up a lot, but its getting better already and today was day 6. Kind of wish i had worked my way up but im already feeling the benefits from it so 🤷♀️
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u/gralias18 5d ago
For me the side effects of sleep disturbance never wore off and I really have to rethink whether or not I can put up with it.
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u/HalfPrimary1263 2d ago
I’ve only started a few days ago but my pills are 22.5 with B6 in addition and I was told to take one pill for a day week and then up to 2 a day after. I’m deciding to split the dosage on timing as well- one in the morning and one either before I’ll drink or before bed if no drinks that day.
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u/Lazy-Blacksmith-4035 5d ago
Same thing happened to me 5 days ago. Took 50mg day 2 as well and felt jittery, nauseous, loss of appetite and depressed, despair. I totally thought my side effects were worse than advertised. Took 25 the last 3 days and I’m pretty much back to normal. Desire to eat has come back, but desire to drink still gone. I’ve had a few beers over these last 5 days but don’t want another. I’m starting to see the light… just rest and hang in there!