Last Updated on June 20, 2026

You can get naltrexone online through a licensed telehealth provider such as Sunnyside Med. After completing a medical intake and provider review, eligible patients can receive a prescription and have their medication shipped directly to their door. Naltrexone is most effective when paired with behavioral support, which is why programs like Sunnyside Med combine medication with coaching, habit tracking, and evidence-based tools to help people drink less and build healthier habits over time.

Naltrexone is a prescription medication that can help reduce alcohol cravings, lower the reward associated with drinking, and make it easier to cut back over time. Once available only through traditional medical appointments, naltrexone can now be prescribed online through licensed telehealth providers in many states.

In this guide, you’ll learn how naltrexone works, how to get a prescription online, what to expect during treatment, and how Sunnyside Med can help you use the medication as part of a long-term plan to change your relationship with alcohol.

How to Get Compounded Naltrexone Online Through Sunnyside Med

Accessing compounded naltrexone with Sunnyside Med is designed to be simple, convenient, and fully online. Here’s what the process typically looks like:

• Complete a short intake questionnaire: You’ll answer questions about your health history, alcohol use, goals, and medications you’re taking. From there, your provider can determine whether naltrexone is a good fit.
• Have your information reviewed by a licensed medical provider: A healthcare professional will evaluate your intake and determine whether compounded naltrexone is appropriate for you.
• Receive your prescription: If approved, your prescription is sent to a licensed pharmacy partner, which ships the medication directly to your door.
• Start your personalized plan: Medication is only one piece of the equation. Sunnyside Med combines naltrexone with behavior-change tools, tracking, and support to help you build sustainable habits around alcohol.
• Adjust as needed: Throughout your journey, you’ll have access to medical guidance and support to help you navigate side effects, dosing, and changes in your goals.

“Tracking my drinks and starting the medication has been a game-changer,” reported one Sunnyside Med member. “This is the first time in many years I’m starting to take control.”

Naltrexone: The Basics

Naltrexone is an FDA-approved medication that can help people drink less by reducing the rewarding effects of alcohol. By blocking opioid receptors involved in the brain’s reward system, it can make drinking feel less compelling and help reduce cravings over time.

Originally approved to treat opioid dependence, naltrexone has been used since the 1990s to help people drink less or quit altogether. Today, it’s increasingly being used by people who simply want more control over their drinking habits. That includes many people in the “gray area” of drinking: people who may not identify as having an alcohol use disorder, who don’t feel that something like AA is a good fit for them, but who are starting to question alcohol’s role in their lives.

“This isn’t only for people at or approaching rock bottom,” says Sunnyside co-founder and CEO Nick Allen. “We’re building Sunnyside Med to provide proactive and preventive access to medication before alcohol becomes a massive negative part of your story.”

Does Naltrexone Really Work?

Yes. Many people find naltrexone makes it easier to stop after 1-2 drinks, drink less frequently, or pass on alcohol altogether. Research supports these experiences. The landmark COMBINE study (Anton et al., 2006), which followed more than 1,300 participants, found that naltrexone helped reduce heavy drinking, particularly when paired with behavioral support.

For “gray area” individuals, naltrexone can be a useful tool alongside habit change, drink tracking, coaching, and other support. That’s one reason Sunnyside Med combines medication with behavior change resources to help members build healthier drinking habits over time.

Here’s a simplified diagram showing how naltrexone works:

Note that naltrexone dampens the rewarding effects of alcohol, rather than completely blocking it. Sometimes we say it ‘blocks’ it in a colloquial way, but it’s important to understand that the strength can vary based on the person, or even the specific day.

As naltrexone dampens alcohol’s rewarding effects over time, cravings are likely to go down, and the habit loop around alcohol is likely to weaken. It’s not an instant fix or magic pill, but rather a process that takes time. At some point, for many people, the “voice” around alcohol gets quieter. Drinks feel less interesting. It’s easier to stop. Some say alcohol tastes different.

“I was convinced I would not benefit,” said one Sunnyside Med member who has found success with naltrexone. “But I persisted, and just this past week, I could detect a clear response. Don’t give up on the meds — trust the program.”

What Are the Side Effects of Naltrexone?

Most people tolerate naltrexone well, but like any medication, it can come with side effects. Common ones include nausea, headache, dizziness, and fatigue. These are typically mild and temporary—and your Sunnyside Med clinician can help you navigate them.

Why More People Are Looking for Naltrexone Online

Historically, getting a naltrexone prescription often meant scheduling an appointment, bringing up a sensitive topic with your primary care provider, and hoping they were familiar with medication-assisted approaches to alcohol reduction.

Today, online health options like Sunnyside Med have made the process significantly easier. Licensed providers can evaluate whether naltrexone is appropriate for you from the comfort of your home, eliminating many of the barriers that once kept people from exploring treatment.

For people who want to cut back on alcohol without putting their lives on hold, online programs offer a more convenient way to access evidence-based care, medication, and ongoing support.

How Much Does Naltrexone Online Cost?

The cost of naltrexone online varies depending on the type of program you choose. The medication itself is relatively inexpensive. Generic naltrexone is often covered by insurance, and some people may pay as little as $10–$30 per month for the prescription alone.

However, many people find that the challenge isn’t getting the medication. It’s staying consistent, building new habits, and making lasting changes to their drinking patterns. That’s why many online programs focus on providing support alongside the prescription.

Sunnyside Med starts at $99 per month (no insurance required) and includes more than just naltrexone. Members receive a personalized care plan that combines medication with behavior-change tools, drink tracking, coaching, progress insights, and ongoing support designed to help people reduce their drinking over time.

In other words, you’re not simply paying for a prescription. You’re getting a comprehensive program built around helping you change your relationship with alcohol.

As with any healthcare service, it’s a good idea to review the details of your insurance coverage and compare your options to find the approach that best fits your goals.

Is Oral Naltrexone Available Over the Counter?

Oral naltrexone is not currently available over the counter. Even if you opt to get naltrexone online, you’ll still need a prescription from a medical provider.

How Sunnyside Can Work Alongside Naltrexone Online

Naltrexone can help reduce cravings and make it easier to drink less, but medication is only one part of changing your relationship with alcohol. Lasting change often comes from a combination of tools, support, and small daily actions that add up over time.

That’s why Sunnyside Med combines naltrexone with a personalized behavior-change program designed to help you build healthier drinking habits. This includes:

Drink tracking that helps you set goals, monitor progress, and spot patterns in your drinking habits

Daily check-ins and nudges that keep your goals top of mind and help you stay consistent

1:1 coaching from real humans who understand the challenges of changing long-established drinking habits

Science-backed lessons and exercises that help you navigate cravings, social situations, stress, and other common triggers

Progress insights and accountability tools that help you celebrate wins and learn from setbacks without judgment

For many people, the combination of medication and behavior change can be more powerful than either approach alone. Naltrexone can make drinking less rewarding, while Sunnyside helps you build the skills, awareness, and routines that support long-term change. In fact, Sunnyside data shows that users are 3x more likely to refill their naltrexone prescription when engaged with the Sunnyside app.

We’re here to help you live better, starting with your relationship with alcohol.

Get Naltrexone Online Today: The First Step

Cutting back on alcohol doesn’t have to take over your life. You don’t need to white-knuckle your way through happy hours, you don’t need to painstakingly avoid all social events, and you definitely don’t need to tackle your journey alone.

Ready to see what’s possible when you get naltrexone online with Sunnyside Med? Take the first step today.

Naltrexone is a prescription medication. This content is educational and should not be taken as medical advice. A licensed clinician reviews every Sunnyside Med application.

Naltrexone Online: Frequently Asked Questions

Can you legally buy naltrexone online?

Yes, with a prescription. Licensed healthcare providers can give you a naltrexone prescription online through telehealth platforms in many states. You’ll still need to complete a medical evaluation, but you can complete the entire process privately and from home.

Do I need to stop drinking before starting naltrexone?

Not necessarily. Treatment recommendations vary based on your health history, drinking patterns, and the guidance of your Sunnyside Med clinician. Some people start naltrexone while actively drinking, while others reduce or pause alcohol use before beginning treatment.

How long does it take for naltrexone to start working?

Naltrexone reaches peak levels in the bloodstream within about an hour of taking it, but changes in broader cravings and drinking habits can take longer. Some people notice a difference during the first week, while others see more gradual improvements over several weeks or months.

Can I take naltrexone for drinking if I don’t want to quit drinking completely?

Yes. While naltrexone is often used as part of an abstinence-based recovery plan, it is also prescribed to people whose goal is moderation rather than complete sobriety. Many people use naltrexone to help reduce cravings, drink less frequently, or feel more in control around alcohol.

Is naltrexone alone enough to change my drinking habits?

Naltrexone can be a powerful tool, but it tends to work best when paired with other forms of support. Research has consistently found stronger outcomes (including better adherence) when medication works in tandem with behavioral strategies, accountability, coaching, or counseling. That’s why programs like Sunnyside Med combine naltrexone with habit tracking, coaching, and evidence-based behavior change tools.

Sunnyside is the Perfect Companion for Your Naltrexone Journey

Sunnyside is the #1 mindful drinking app. Since 2020, we’ve been honing our harm-reduction approach and have helped over 400,000 people cut out 22 million drinks from their baseline habits. 96.7% of our members report success in drinking less, and in a third-party study, our approach reduced weekly drinking by 33% after 12 weeks. 

Think of Sunnyside as the front door for anyone who wants to change their relationship with alcohol. If you want to drink less, we can help you get there. If you want to eventually quit, but want to take a gradual approach, we can make that happen.

When you sign up for Sunnyside, you’ll take a quick 3-minute quiz, then hop into the app. It’s as simple and quick as that. 

We’ll give you weekly plans to gradually reach your drinking goals, and we’ll provide nudges, coaching, exercises, and advice to help you get there. 

We have daily tracking and journaling tools, including the option to chat with a real human coach at any time. And our state-of-the-art analytics help you track your progress over time. 

Sunnyside is a full-featured mindful drinking app. Naltrexone will actively help you reduce cravings around alcohol, and Sunnyside will help you understand your triggers and patterns, giving you a healthy system for habit change. 

If you choose to stop taking naltrexone, the Sunnyside app remains a tool you can keep using to maintain your healthy habits. 

Everyone who signs up for Sunnyside gets a free 15-day trial. After that, the subscription is $8.25/month.

Whether you’re currently taking naltrexone or just doing some research on alcohol moderation, we’d love to have you sign up for our 15-day free trial today.