I'm on day 3 of the Naltrexone. I was researching online if anyone gets really tired. I start to get tired soon after I take the pill and before my first drink. Anyway, I came across something that said not to take Naltrexone if you are taking Bupropion because Naltrexone actually contains Bupropion. I do take 300 mg daily of Bupropion. My doctor never mentioned a thing. My pharmacist didn't say anything when I got the prescription filled. Does anyone have knowledge if I should be taking these two medications together or not?
Can you PM me the link for where you read this please, Kelly, and I'll have a look at it. If needed, I will forward it onto Dr Roy Eskapa and Dr Stephen Cox (2 doctors very knowledgeable about TSM and naltrexone) for their comments, too. It's the first I've ever heard of naltrexone containing anything other than naltrexone and a few fillers such as lactose. But I think this certainly needs checking out.
On the British version, made by Accord Healthcare, this is what it says for ingredients.
'The active substance is Naltrexone hydrochloride.
Each film-coated tablet contains 50 mg Naltrexone Hydrochloride.
The other ingredients are:
Core Tablet: lactose monohydrate, cellulose microcrystalline, crospovidone, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate
Film-coating: hypromellose (E464), macrogol 400, polysorbate 80 (E433), iron oxide yellow (E172), iron oxide red (E172), titanium dioxide (E171)'
If you check the box of naltrexone tablets, or probably better is the leaflet inside, it will list the ingredients for the brand you have. Then compare those ingredients to your Buproprion ingredients.
Tiredness when taking naltrexone is most definitely one of the more common temporary side effects so certainly nothing to be concerned about there. Some people get sleepiness, some get sleeplessness. Like you, I got the tiredness for the first week or so, then like the other minor side effects it just lessened and disappeared.
If I take a naltrexone now, after say a month or so of not drinking so not taking the medication, I do still get a little bit of tiredness - but I am not sure as to whether to put that down to the tablet, the sedative effect of a couple of glasses, or the sedative effect of a meal since if I do drink now, the setting is usually in a restaurant. It's maybe a bit of everything perhaps.
I think I misread! Oh, I hope I did! I think I was reading about Contrave that contains naltrexone and bupropion. I feel like such an idiot because I messaged Clauia too.
The bottle says it contains 50mg of naltrexone hydrochoride USP.
I just kept seeing all this stuff popping up and didn't realize contrave was in parentheses.
I'm so sorry!!! But, I'm glad I can continue taking these. I opened a beer at 3:20 and I finished it at 4:20. Unbelievable because the first always slides down fast.
But, yes, hoping the faitgue doesn't last long.
Thank you so much for putting up with me, lol.
I believe when I read one silly thing then I typed in "taking naltrexone and bupropion together" and didn't realize there was actually a med out there with both combined together. So sorry!
No worries, better to be safe than sorry
Glad things have started off so well for you. All you need to do now is remain compliant, remain mindful and the rest will happen with time.
And because you have noticed such a difference already, then it means that this method will work for you as long as you keep doing the above until you reach the point where you are completely indifferent towards alcohol, and really can take it or leave it. No one can say how long it will take (I was 8 months, some take less time, some take longer) but from about the 4 month mark I was having plenty of days, stretching to week at a time when I was alcohol free.
So, one question that will make sense this time, lol. After you get to that point that you feel you do not want to drink and become abstinent - does one have to continue the naltrexone or not?
P.S. My husband is shock. When we go out to eat he's so embarassed because I drink my beer immediately and looking for the watiress to get me another drink and his is still full. He just can't believe It's been about 2 hours since I started drinking and beer #2 is basically full yet. I'm so happy tonight and praying this continues. God Bless you all who this has worked for. Even if it doesn't work for me I know there's hope for many in this tiny pill. AMEN!
At that point, you would just carry on you a spare tablet or two as 'insurance' - just in case you find yourself in a position when you want to drink.
An example I use is pretty horrible but lets say you are out and you hear of the sudden death of a family member, or friend. Now that type of event is almost impossible to prepare for obviously, and so many people feel the immediate need for a drink, maybe to deal with the shock.
If you didn't have a tablet on your keyfob in one of those little pill holders, and really felt the need for a drink, then you would be drinking unprotected and that means all the great big endorphin rush that causes the switch to switch back on to the 'more, more, more' situation, is up and running again.
I've known people lose control once they drink unprotected quite quickly, and to me, it's just not worth the risk. Carry a spare tablet or two around 'just in case'.
It's like a guy carrying a condom around 'just in case' isn't it? Lol. If he doesn't have one in his wallet, he is taking a big risk.
(sorry for the not very nice example, but it is very powerful because most people understand that truly horrible feeling when you hear someone you love has passed).
Totally understand and the example was great, lol!
Right now, I keep a pill in my purse, in a pill holder on my key chain, in my work bag and in the vehicle. I am pretty well prepared.
That summed it up for me as for where I am right now with Naltrexone. I am prepared for this journey as baclofen and cold turkey did not work for me.
I might have tried the Campral but my doctor was out of town. I already had the Naltrexone and resorted to that. So, this is where I am and I'm doing O.K.
Thank you for your help! I feel much more at ease now.
It's different when you know you're going to win, yes?
Ade I'm on day 3. It took me 4 hours to drink 3 cans of beer. I'm now drinking iced tea. I'm not drunk. I sorta feel hmmm....normal? I'm so glad I had no bad side effects. The most I felt since upping the dose is being tired but I feel a little better now. I shared a video on my Facebook page urging my alcoholic friends to just watch the video and be open minded. I know I have a long way to go but for the first time in a year I feel HOPE. Thank you for being my supporter these past few days.
Hi Kelly,
I am glad to know that things are working out for you, just now.
Good Luck... stick with it.
Alonangel 🎇
You're welcome, for sure! I'm so glad this is working out to be a good fit for you, that is just so awesome. How may would you ususally go through in a night?
Did you already hear about the Honeymoon effect?
I could usually drink 8 cans of beer within 3 hours. But always at least 6 a night. Right now I m feeling a bit "off"..... and anxiety like jittery. Hoping this passes also. And I never heard of the honeymoon effect.
Thanks! I just gotta get through the side effects. But I plan to stick it out.
Yeah, I was pretty good at knocking back 6 pint cans in about 4 hours, then off to the store for another six pack.
The Honeymoon effect seems to happen for most people. There's an initial drop when you start TSM, then your drinking goes back up, then gradually rolls off. It's your brain reaching out for it's old buddy, trying to find that endorphin hit that it's grown so used to.
If you drank quite a bit the first night before TSM, maybe you're adjusting to that?
HI Kelly. It seems to be working out very well for you and best of luck. JOanne has good adviceI saw and knows exactly how this works and what you should expect. Looks great! Robin
Well what started out as a night of hope turned into a night of h*ll. I have been fighting anxiety, jittery, nausea, stomach pains and a headache all night. And when I do fall asleep for a few minutes I jump from what seems to be a nightmare. Like crawling out of my skin and sweating. This was night 2 of 25 mg. I see how this pill works as a blessing for some but I never wanna feel this way again. So glad I knew to start low due to my sensitivity to mess. I'm so upset that I just want to cry. Thank you and everyone else for your help.
Sorry you're having such a bad reaction! This would be one to run past the doctor, Kelly. You're also withdrawing from Baclofen, so that could complicate things, but which is which, that's beyond me.
I haven't taken baclofen for almost two weeks. I only took it May 19-24. Then I was cold turkey for a week. Drank one night and started the Naltexone. I SO wanted this to work. I would still promote this 100%!!!! Where now? Idk.
This is disappointing
You know your body best, but I just wanted to check if you ate first (about 30-60 minutes before the tablet)? This can really help keep any side effects to any minimum as you are adusting.
Or, any over the counter preparation that your pharmacist might suggest?
If you are absolutely sure that you won't adjust then there isn't much you can do, and at least you tried it, but if you think there might be something else you can do then try that first. Even if it means taking an OTC and starting on 12.5mg of naltrexone. Any short term issues are usually short term, and far outweight the overall gain.
Such a shame because this held great promise for you. I am sad for you.
This might mean a case of waiting to see the doc and seeing about Campral?