Many doctors recommended opioids for pain or cough but they are extremely addictive. In many cases, severe damage or death takes place due to an overdose of an opioid. Both naloxone and naltrexone are opioid antagonists which means they are responsible for blocking the opioid receptors and prevent opioids from taking any action.
Naloxone vs Naltrexone
The main difference between naloxone and naltrexone is that naloxone is an antidote that is used for opioid overdose and it is either administered as a nasal spray or injected into the patient. On the other hand, naltrexone is a drug given to a person suffering from opioid use disorder. It is available in the form of an oral tablet or injection.
Naloxone is better known as an emergency medication that reverses the effect of opioids during an overdose. Doctors can give naloxone to both adults or children suffering from an opioid overdose and sometimes one dose is not enough. But, addiction to alcohol consumption increases the side effects of naloxone.
While naloxone reverses the effect of opioids, naltrexone blocks the effect of opioids. Naltrexone is most effective in the form of injection (Vivitrol) that is given to an adult to prevent from relapsing. Consuming naltrexone is not a permanent cure for opioid addiction but it reduces the urge of opioid or drug consumption. Taking regular doses of naltrexone can cause damage to the liver.
Comparison Table Between Naloxone and Naltrexone
| Parameters of Comparison | Naloxone | Naltrexone |
| Patient Type | It is given to people suffering from an opioid overdose. | Prevents relapsing in patients who are clean for at least a week. |
| Form of consumption | Naloxone is either given to the person as a nasal spray or injected into the thigh. | It is available both in the form of oral tablet and injection but the injection is more effective. |
| Reaction time | Naloxone is an emergency drug and hence it reacts immediately. | The patient can feel the effect of naltrexone eventually. |
| Conditions | Naloxone consumption is risky for people having heart problems, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. | Naltrexone should not be taken while the person is on opioids or having withdrawal symptoms. |
| Side effects | Fever, runny rose, muscle weakness, and repetitive chills. | Pain in several body parts and loss of appetite. |
What is Naloxone?
During an opioid overdose, extreme drowsiness or loss of consciousness takes place. Naloxone helps to reverse the effect of opioid overdose but sometimes one dose of this antagonist is not enough to improve the situation. If naloxone is injected into a person, the patient should consult a doctor at the earliest and inform about the dosage of intake.
Naloxone shows certain side effects if a person consumes alcohol while taking this medication. It can also slow down reactions to certain actions and increase the response time. If a patient is already taking narcotic pain medication, naloxone will reverse the pain-relieving effects. So, under any condition, a healthcare professional should always be consulted.
It is wise to inform the doctor about heart problems and pregnancy before receiving a naloxone injection. Because, if a pregnant woman takes naloxone it might show withdrawal symptoms in the unborn baby.
Since naloxone is given during an opioid overdose, one must be aware of the symptoms that may arise in the situation. Some common symptoms include almost no breathing, decreasing pupil size, slowing of heartbeat, and extreme drowsiness. After injecting naloxone, the patient should immediately visit an emergency room.
What is Naltrexone?
Naltrexone is a medication that helps to cure patients suffering from opioid addiction. It is taken for quite some time either in the form of oral tablets or injections. Any healthcare professional with a license can prescribe this medication.
Consuming naltrexone while having episodes of withdrawal symptoms is harmful to the patients. So, treating the patient with naltrexone can be started only after he or she is clean for a minimum of 7 days.
Naltrexone not only blocks the opioid receptors but also helps in reducing the craving for such drugs. It helps in blocking the effects of heroin, morphine, and codeine. But, people who are treated with naltrexone become more sensitive to opioid drugs. Consumption of naltrexone has its side effects which include vomiting, diarrhea, headache, sleeping disorders, and joint pain.
Before taking naltrexone, your doctor should be aware of your previous healthcare problems. Naltrexone is not prescribed to someone who has any kind of liver and kidney disease and also hemophilia. It can also be harmful to pregnant women.
Main Differences Between Naloxone and Naltrexone
- Naloxone is an emergency drug that is injected into people during an opioid overdose whereas naltrexone is a drug recommended to prevent relapse in patients who are clean for a minimum of 7 days.
- Naloxone is administered in the form of nasal spray and injection but the latter one is more effective. Naltrexone is available in tablet form for oral consumption as well as injection.
- Naloxone reacts immediately with the opioid receptors whereas naltrexone takes a comparatively longer time to block the effects of opioids.
- Naloxone is considered an improper drug for pregnant women as it causes harm to the unborn child. Naltrexone should not be given to patients who have opioid withdrawal symptoms.
- Naloxone has side effects similar to that of getting flu such as fever and chills whereas naltrexone might cause weight loss, muscle cramps, and insomnia.
Conclusion
Both naloxone and naltrexone are given to patients suffering from opioid addiction. While naloxone is an emergency drug injected during opioid overdose, naltrexone is prescribed to a patient who is clean for at least 7 days.
Opioid addiction causes harm to several parts of the body and hence should be prevented before reaching a fatal stage. While opioids antagonists like naloxone and naltrexone help in blocking the opioid receptors and neutralize the effect of such drugs, they also have several side effects.
In case of opioid overdose, naloxone should be injected immediately followed by consulting a doctor. Consuming naltrexone is more of a treatment program as it reduces the urge of the body to consume opioids or alcohol. But, in both cases consulting a doctor is crucial.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196064483803436
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00003495-198835030-00002