An increased risk of an opioid overdose when using Vivitrol

Vivitrol has serious side effects, including the increased risk of an opioid overdose when using Vivitrol. There are two ways to overdose by mistake. Vivitrol prevents the effects of opioids such as heroin and opioid pain medicines. To try to counteract the opioid-blocking effects of this medication, do not take large amounts of opioids, including opioid-containing medicines such as heroin or prescription pain pills. This can result in severe injury, coma, or death.

Or, after receiving a dose of Vivitrol, its blocking effect gradually reduces and eventually disappears. If you have previously used opioid street drugs or opioid-containing prescriptions, taking opioids at the levels you did prior to treatment with Vivitrol can result in overdose and death.

It is important that you inform your family and those closest to you about your increased sensitivity to opioids and the potential of overdose. If you have problems breathing, get very drowsy with slower breathing, have slow, shallow breathing (little chest movement with breathing), feel faint, very disoriented, confused, or have other strange symptoms, you or someone close to you should phone 911 or receive emergency medical care help immediately away. Talk to your doctor about naloxone, a medicine that can be used to treat an opioid overdose in an emergency. In all situations of known or suspected opioid overdose, call 911 or seek emergency medical help straight away, even if naloxone is administered.