How to Get a Vivitrol Shot

Vivitrol is a once-monthly shot used to treat alcohol or opioid dependence. Only trained doctors with a license to prescribe and administer Vivitrol can legally provide this mixed suspension medication.

While it can be difficult to find Vivitrol shots in some areas, dozens of physicians and locations provide them in Florida. Here’s some important information to consider before taking Vivitrol.

How Does Vivitrol Work?

Approved by the FDA in 2006, prescription Vivitrol contains the active ingredient naltrexone. This extended-release injectable medicine works as an opioid receptor antagonist to reduce cravings for alcohol and drugs such as heroin, morphine and fentanyl. Vivitrol is meant to stop alcohol or opioid addicts from using these drugs by preventing them from feeling the sedative, euphoric effects.

The Importance of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Vivitrol is often part of a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program that includes therapy, relapse prevention counseling and aftercare support for opioid and alcohol abusers. MAT combines the use of FDA-approved medications with behavioral therapies to provide a patient-oriented approach to treating addiction.

The results of clinical trials involving Vivitrol found that this medication is effective in reducing cravings for alcohol or opioids and preventing relapse after detox. In addition, patients participating in a MAT program show significant improvement in overall life quality and ability to resist relapsing during and long after treatment.

MAT isn’t meant to be a quick fix for treating opioid or alcohol abuse disorders. Unless accompanied by cognitive behavioral therapy, addiction education and stress management counseling, MAT is less likely to be successful simply because substance abuse largely affects people with mental or emotional health problems that have never been addressed professionally.

Accessing Vivitrol Treatment: Who Can Prescribe Vivitrol?

Vivitrol requires training to correctly prepare this mixed suspension medication. Physicians must undergo suspension liquid education and receive a license to give monthly Vivitrol injections.

Medication-assisted treatment physicians who are licensed to dispense Vivitrol must also:

Ensure patients have been opioid-free for a least 7 to 10 days before an injection
Have experience with delivering Vivitrol as a gluteal (buttocks), intramuscular injection only
Understand how to select a needle size proportional to the patient’s gluteal musculature (a variety of needles are included in each package of Vivitrol)

MAT doctors also have in-depth knowledge about possible adverse reactions to a Vivitrol injection. They’ll inform patients to call them or visit an emergency room if they experience severe pain at the site of the injection, hardening or lumpiness at the injection site or unusual swelling.

Opioid or alcohol abusers should never allow an uncertified health care professional to give them Vivitrol injections. In addition to making errors in preparing a suspension liquid like Vivitrol, uncertified physicians or nurses may not have enough experience with intramuscular injections. Imprecise injections into the buttocks could reduce the effectiveness of Vivitrol and cause painful adverse reactions.

Uses and Benefits of Taking Vivitrol

To be as effective as possible, Vivitrol must be used with an opioid or alcohol addiction recovery program. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs provide counseling, relapse prevention therapy and supportive aftercare for a patient-oriented approach to treating addiction.

Clinical trials involving Vivitrol found that this medication is effective in reducing cravings for alcohol or opioids and preventing relapse after detox. In addition, patients participating in a MAT treatment program showed significant improvement in overall life quality and ability to resist relapsing during and long after treatment.

Vivitrol Considerations and Precautions

Vivitrol isn’t meant to be a quick fix for treating opioid or alcohol abuse disorders. Compliance with cognitive behavioral therapy, addiction education and stress management counseling through a MAT program is essential for success. Missing just one monthly injection can interfere with the ability of Vivitrol to block the effects of opioids, resulting in relapse.

Vivitrol is intended for individuals who’ve completed the medical detox process. You should stop drinking alcohol, and you must stop taking all opioids, including street drugs, prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines, for at least 7 to 14 days before taking Vivitrol. If you use opioids before receiving the injection, you may experience sudden and severe opioid withdrawal symptoms that require hospitalization.

It’s important to know that Vivitrol therapy isn’t right for everyone. This medication isn’t recommended for people with kidney or liver disease, hemophilia or bleeding problems. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.

The Limitations of Vivitrol in a MAT Program

Vivitrol is meant to stop alcohol or opioid addicts from using these drugs by preventing them from feeling the sedative, euphoric effects of either drug. However, if someone receives Vivitrol injections and relapses with opioids, they could suffer severe withdrawal symptoms that require emergency medical attention.

Vivitrol isn’t recommended for people with kidney or liver disease or those taking prescription opioids for a chronic pain condition. Vivitrol has been reported to cause hepatitis in patients with undiagnosed liver dysfunction.

Compliance with a Vivitrol MAT program is essential for its effectiveness. Missing one monthly injection can interfere with the ability of Vivitrol to block the effects of opioids, resulting in relapse and re-addiction.

Can You Get a Free Vivitrol Shot?

Vivitrol injections aren’t free, but some people may receive help paying for Vivitrol treatment. The makers of Vivitrol offer a co-pay savings program that covers as much as $500 per month of deductible or co-pay expenses for qualifying individuals with a Vivitrol prescription.

Patients using state or federal health care programs to pay for part or all of the cost of Vivitrol injections aren’t eligible for the co-pay savings program. However, patients who have no insurance, are paying cash or are covered by commercial health insurance will likely be eligible for Vivitrol’s savings program.

Getting a Vivitrol Shot

Individuals seeking medication-assisted treatment for their opioid or alcohol abuse disorder with Vivitrol must first fill out a specialty pharmacy form requesting information about their insurance coverage and addiction specifics. The pharmacy will then confirm the information is correct and consult with the individual about scheduling an appointment with a Vivitrol provider.

Before administering your Vivitrol shot, your provider might give you a naloxone challenge test to ensure your system is opioid-free. This test involves injecting a small amount of naloxone into your arm to see how you react. People with opioids in their bloodstream will show signs of opioid withdrawal within a few minutes of receiving the injection. If this happens, you’ll be unable to receive a Vivitrol shot at that time.

If you’re ready to start Vivitrol, your health care professional will inject the medication into a muscle in your buttocks using a special needle. Typically, Vivitrol is repeated every 4 weeks. Individuals may use it for a few months or long-term, depending on their treatment goals. Most treatment programs recommend Vivitrol be used for at least 1 year.

Where Can I Get a Vivitrol Shot?

Florida offers dozens of physicians and locations that provide Vivitrol injections. Individuals seeking medication-assisted treatment for their opioid or alcohol abuse disorder with Vivitrol must first fill out a specialty pharmacy form requesting information about their insurance coverage and addiction specifics. The pharmacy will then confirm the information is correct and consult with the individual about scheduling an appointment with a Vivitrol provider.

Sunlight Recovery can help anyone interested in receiving Vivitrol injections find a MAT provider and navigate complicated insurance coverage rules about paying for Vivitrol. Call today to speak to a Sunlight Recovery staff member for immediate assistance.

Cost and Insurance Coverage for Vivitrol

The cost of Vivitrol injections may vary depending on your dose, pharmacy and insurance coverage. Most commercial health insurance plans will help cover the cost. The makers of Vivitrol also offer a co-pay savings program that provides up to $500 per month for deductible or co-pay expenses with a Vivitrol prescription.

Vivitrol Side Effects and Risks

Like most medications, Vivitrol may cause mild side effects. The most common include nausea, headache, sleepiness, muscle cramps, decreased appetite, common cold symptoms and pain at the injection site. Side effects usually improve within a few days and become less likely with future injections.

While rare, some serious side effects have also been reported with Vivitrol. These include allergic reactions, pneumonia, liver damage, hepatitis and depression. Consider telling a family member or close friend you’re taking Vivitrol. They can help you stay on top of changes and contact your doctor if symptoms worsen or worry you.

Sunlight Recovery offers inpatient and outpatient recovery programs to accommodate all levels and types of addiction. If you’re interested in receiving Vivitrol injections, we can help you find a MAT provider and navigate the complicated insurance coverage rules about paying for the medication. Contact us now for immediate assistance.

What Else Should I Know About Vivitrol Injections?

To be as effective as possible, Vivitrol must be combined with opioid or alcohol addiction treatment programs that include counseling, relapse prevention therapy and supportive aftercare.

Don’t use Vivitrol if you’re physically dependent on prescription opioid pain pills, heroin, fentanyl or other opiate substance. Detoxing is critical to avoiding serious health problems before starting on monthly shots of Vivitrol.

To ensure your system is opioid-free, your Vivitrol provider might give you a naloxone challenge test. This test involves injecting a small amount of naloxone into your arm to see how you react. People with opioids in their bloodstream will show signs of opioid withdrawal within a few minutes of receiving the injection. If this happens, you’ll be unable to receive a Vivitrol shot at that time.

Our admission lines are available 24/7. Sunlight Recovery also offers inpatient and outpatient recovery programs to accommodate all levels and types of addiction.