Which statement best describes naltrexone's nature and indications?

Which statement best describes naltrexone's nature and indications?

• A. Naltrexone is a narcotic.
• B. Naltrexone is an opioid agonist used for withdrawal.
• C. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist used for both opiate and alcohol dependence, not addictive, not a narcotic, with no withdrawal
• D. Naltrexone must be started after 30 days of abstinence

Answer: (C)

Naltrexone works by blocking opioid receptors, so it prevents opioids from producing their effects and helps support abstinence after detox. It’s approved for both opioid dependence and alcohol dependence, giving it dual indications. It isn’t a narcotic and it isn’t addictive, which is why it’s not associated with dependence on the medication itself. Because it blocks receptors, it can precipitate withdrawal if a person still has opioids in their system, so induction is done after the patient has become opioid-free (the exact timing depends on the opioid and detox method, not a fixed 30-day window). This combination of receptor antagonism, dual indications, lack of addictiveness, and the need for prior detoxing makes the statement describe naltrexone most accurately.

Naltrexone works by blocking opioid receptors, so it prevents opioids from producing their effects and helps support abstinence after detox. It’s approved for both opioid dependence and alcohol dependence, giving it dual indications. It isn’t a narcotic and it isn’t addictive, which is why it’s not associated with dependence on the medication itself. Because it blocks receptors, it can precipitate withdrawal if a person still has opioids in their system, so induction is done after the patient has become opioid-free (the exact timing depends on the opioid and detox method, not a fixed 30-day window). This combination of receptor antagonism, dual indications, lack of addictiveness, and the need for prior detoxing makes the statement describe naltrexone most accurately.