Naltrexone 50 mg: What to Know About the Standard Dose

Naltrexone 50 mg is a commonly prescribed oral dose of naltrexone for alcohol use disorder (AUD). The medication blocks opioid receptors involved in alcohol’s rewarding effects, which can reduce cravings and heavy drinking. Your dose and treatment plan should always be determined by a healthcare provider.

If you’ve looked into naltrexone to help you drink less, you’ve probably seen 50 mg mentioned. That’s because 50 mg is the standard oral dose used to treat alcohol use disorder.

But it isn’t the only formulation available. Sunnyside Med, for example, provides eligible members with compounded naltrexone 45 mg plus vitamin B6 rather than the available 50 mg tablet.

Here’s what the 50 mg dose means, how naltrexone works, and what to know if you’re exploring naltrexone as an option.

What Is Naltrexone 50 mg?

Naltrexone is a prescription medication approved by the FDA to treat alcohol dependence and opioid dependence. It’s an opioid antagonist, meaning it binds to and blocks opioid receptors in the brain.

For alcohol dependence, the FDA-approved prescribing information recommends 50 mg (milligrams) once daily for most patients. Clinical trials supporting its effectiveness also used 50 mg daily in combination with psychosocial treatment.

How Does Naltrexone 50 mg Help With Drinking?

Alcohol activates several systems in the brain, including the body’s endogenous opioid system. Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors involved in alcohol’s rewarding effects.

As a result, drinking may feel less rewarding, and cravings may become less intense. This can make it easier for some people to drink less and avoid episodes of heavy drinking.

Importantly, naltrexone doesn’t make you sick if you drink alcohol while taking it. (That’s a different medication called disulfiram.) Instead, naltrexone changes how the brain responds to alcohol.

Does Sunnyside Med Prescribe Naltrexone 50 mg?

Sunnyside Med uses a slightly different formulation from the standard 50 mg naltrexone tablet. Through the 100% online alcohol health program, eligible members receive compounded naltrexone 45 mg with vitamin B6, along with drink tracking, coaching, community, and other behavioral support. A licensed clinician will review your health history and determine whether naltrexone is appropriate for you, whether your goal is to cut back or quit drinking altogether (and both are valid goals).

What Are the Side Effects of Naltrexone?

Like any medication, naltrexone can cause side effects. According to SAMHSA, common side effects of oral naltrexone can include nausea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, vomiting, decreased appetite, and anxiety.

Not everyone experiences side effects, and some may improve as your body adjusts.

Who Should Not Take Naltrexone?

Naltrexone blocks the effects of opioids. Taking it while physically dependent on opioids can trigger sudden and potentially severe opioid withdrawal.

Tell your healthcare provider about any opioid use before starting naltrexone, including prescription pain medications. The prescribing information recommends an opioid-free interval of at least seven to 10 days for people previously dependent on short-acting opioids. People transitioning from buprenorphine or methadone may be vulnerable to precipitated withdrawal for longer.

Naltrexone has also been associated with liver injury, so your clinician should know about your medical history, medications, and any liver problems before you start treatment.

Sunnyside Is the Perfect Companion for Your Naltrexone Journey

Naltrexone can help address the cravings and rewarding effects that make drinking less difficult. But medication is only one part of changing your relationship with alcohol. Sunnyside Med combines access to naltrexone with the behavioral tools and support that can help you turn that biological boost into lasting change.

With Sunnyside Med, the entire process is online. You’ll complete an assessment and meet with a licensed clinician who reviews your health history, drinking patterns, and goals to determine whether naltrexone is appropriate for you. Eligible members receive Sunnyside’s compounded naltrexone with vitamin B6, along with drink tracking, coaching, community, and other behavioral support to help them work toward cutting back or quitting.

“Sunnyside provides scaffolding around the medication to allow folks to be as successful as possible,” says Sunnyside co-founder Nick Allen. “The medication alone has been shown to reduce bounce-back behavior, but especially when coupled with behavior change, that’s when you get the most effective results for the long term.”

Whether you want to drink a little less, avoid heavy drinking, or stop drinking altogether, your plan can adapt to the goals you set for yourself.

Ready to see if naltrexone could be a fit? Take the quick online assessment to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is 50 mg the standard dose of naltrexone?

Yes. For alcohol dependence, 50 mg once daily is the standard oral dose described in FDA-approved naltrexone labeling. However, clinicians may use different doses or formulations depending on the individual and treatment program.

What is low-dose naltrexone?

Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) generally refers to naltrexone taken at doses much lower than the standard 50 mg dose used for alcohol use disorder, often around 1 to 5 mg per day. A 45 mg or 50 mg dose of naltrexone is not considered low-dose naltrexone.

Can you drink alcohol while taking naltrexone?

Yes, many people can drink alcohol while taking naltrexone. Naltrexone does not cause an adverse reaction when combined with alcohol, so you do not necessarily have to stop drinking before or while taking it. Instead, naltrexone blocks opioid receptors involved in alcohol’s rewarding effects, which can help reduce cravings and heavy drinking. Follow your clinician’s guidance based on your health and treatment goals.

Is naltrexone addictive?

No. Naltrexone isn’t addictive, doesn’t produce a high, and doesn’t cause physical dependence.

This article is not a substitute for medical advice. Naltrexone is a prescription medication. Individual results vary, and all treatment decisions are made by a licensed clinician.