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ReVia

(naltrexone)

In this factsheet:
• How does ReVia work? What will it do for me?
• How should I use ReVia?
• What form(s) does ReVia come in?
• Who should NOT take ReVia?
• What side effects are possible with ReVia?
• Are there any other precautions or warnings for ReVia?
• What other drugs could interact with ReVia?

DIN (Drug Identification Number)

How does ReVia work? What will it do for me?

Naltrexone belongs to a group of medications known as pure opioid antagonists. It is used to help individuals who were previously dependent on drugs of addiction (such as alcohol, or opiate drugs such as methadone and heroin) to remain free from their dependence.

Opiate drugs (also known as opioid drugs) and opioids that are naturally part of the body affect certain parts of the brain called opiate receptors. Naltrexone works by binding to these opiate receptors to block the effects of opiates drugs and the body's own opiates. It is believed that this helps prevent a person from returning to using these substances.

This medication is used together with other forms of treatment such as psychological counselling and social support.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

How should I use ReVia?

The dose of this medication depends on the type of dependence it is being used to treat, and whether administration of the medication will be supervised.

To treat alcoholism, the usual recommended dose is 50 mg once daily.

To treat opioid dependence (e.g., addiction to methadone or heroin), the dose will vary but the usual starting dose is 25 mg once daily, to be slowly increased to the most appropriate dose.

Your doctor will determine a dose and dosing schedule for your individual situation. It is important that you take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor may request a urine sample before initiating treatment with this medication in order to make sure that you have not used any narcotics (opioid drugs) within the previous 7 to 10 days. You should not take this medication if there is any possibility that you have used an opiate within the previous 7 to 10 days. If there is any question about your opiate use, your doctor may request that you take a NARCAN challenge test in order to confirm that your body is opiate-free before you take this medication.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

What form(s) does ReVia come in?

50 mg tablets
Each pale yellow, film-coated, capsule-shaped tablet, engraved with "REVIA" on one side and with "177" and a bisect on the other side, contains naltrexone HCl 50 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and Pale Yellow Opadry YS-1-6378-G.

Who should NOT take ReVia?

Do not take naltrexone if you:

• are allergic to naltrexone or to any of the ingredients of the medication
• are dependent upon opiates, including if you are receiving opiate agonists (e.g., methadone)
• are experiencing opiate withdrawal
• are receiving opiate analgesics (e.g., narcotics medications such as oxycodone and codeine)
• have a urine test that is positive for opiates
• have acute hepatitis or liver failure
• have failed the NARCAN challenge (a test used to determine if you have used opiates)

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