User Reviews for Vivitrol intramuscular

PLEASE do not take Vivitrol !!! I was forced by a judge to take any MAT as long as it was FDA approved. So I agreed to start methadone in a state run and monitored facility. She agreed . When I came back to court to sign the agreement I noticed methadone had been scribbled out and Vivitrol was written in . I had a fit ! She told me it was her choice to switch it because she doesn't like opioids. I tell her that I'm in active SEVERE fentanyl addiction and that immediate administration of vivitrol would send me into intense hyper withdrawal . She says well it's that or a year in jail for possession of 60 bucks worth of dope so man up . So I have no choice , I tell the doctor/ nurse about my active use and she laughed, gave me the injection, and says " well i hope you don't kill yourself !" I go home and within 30 min or so I noticed I'm yawning , Oh Crap , I know what's coming. So in the end after 3 months of suffering unbearable agony and multiple emergency room visits and a massive bill later I still suffer from insomnia, stomach cramps , incredible headaches I didn't think were possible, pains in my upper right stomach, which my last doctor visit is suggesting a problem with my liver possibly due to vivitrol, and in my opinion a new form of PTSD that involves an unexplainable dread that I feel whenever I hear about opioid withdrawal . I know that last one sounds dumb but I'm telling you , I've never in my 40 years , and I mean never , had the displeasure and pure distilled panic of being in such a pathetic, state . I was a defenseless , vulnerable, pitiful , blob of slop , melting into the fake tiles on my bathroom floor praying God would have the mercy to help me out of this . I kept waiting for it to get better , it never did . I literally had to keep taking it until the doctor refused to administer it due to my poor physical condition and advised me to stop the monthly injections. He had to refuse the service to the JUDGE who actually argued that she new better . So I was "allowed" to take methadone and it saved my life , and I don't mean that metaphorically. The reason judges are pushing this is because the people who lobby for this company new people would never take this in high enough numbers to make it worth selling, so they went to criminal drug courts and lied about the effectiveness of vivitrol to easily persuadable judges , and they took the bait and here we are . Don't fall for it , if it sounds too good to be true , then it probably is , and believe me , it is .Read More Read Less

haven't drank alcohol in two months. waking up without a hangover is heaven. i get monthly shot, easy but a little sore. drink a lot of water before getting shot.

The Sublocade injection saved my life. Vivitrol depleted any and all good feelings I was able to experience. Vivitrol is a complete opiate antagonist, with such a high binding affinity. They claim it takes away cravings, that’s complete bs. I’m a survivor and am in my. 40’s now with 20+ years of IV use. Vivitrol I would certainly applaud just as any other MAT that truly works (outside of methadone). Methadones only benefit is knowing what your taking and how much. Other then that it’s identical in a sense to doing heroin. Vivitrol I’ll stand by my lousy rating for with 8 years of abstinence because I’ve watched friends die when the drug wore off. The side effects are horrific! If someone is looking for a monthly shot, Sublocade, which is an agonist & antagonist (also blocks the effects if you try to use like vivitrol). Vivitrol=??? period. Buprenorphine has zero euphoric effects if your using. Yet it can save your life like it did mine.Read More Read Less

Bad headaches, no energy, loss of appetite and horrible anxiety. This has lasted over 17 days now. Guess it isn't the magic bullet for everyone

I was addicted to alcohol every single day for over two years. This medication works miracles for me. I started out taking oral naltrexone for about a month, and then my doctor suggested I start getting the monthly injections instead. I have no cravings and I don’t drink anymore. Please consider this medication.

Best decision I ever made. Yes the injection site is a little tender for a day or two unless I drink more water the day before going in and I do get a headache about the same amount of time. Other than that though it's made life amazing. Zero cravings for opiates after 16 years of being on every kind there is.

Alcoholic, had the shot 3 weeks ago and it worked. But being an alcoholic, I had to test after 3 weeks. No feelings of a buzz at all. Went straight to a blackout and woke up throwing up.

This medication does NOT have any effect on fentanyl. I’ve been taking vivatrol monthly and it doesn’t work like it’s advertised. It’s supposed to block your opiate receptors however I have been doing heroin and fentanyl. I have still been able to get “high”, the vivatrol has no effect on the fentanyl at all.

It’s going on 21 days since I got the shot . I was on fentanyl patches and switched over to the fake pills 2 years after . The shot works very well , but you will get extreme anxiety and cravings . I suggest you talk to your doc about getting on busporine medication to help ease the extreme anxiety . Nausea happens the first 3 days and stomach cramps last up to 5/6 days . I’m feeling a bit better but I’m not gonna lie I regret this shot only because I’m an over thinker and I used sooo long it’s hard to fight them cravings regardless of your anxiety . End of the day you gotta have a strong mentality when taking long term shot trials like vivitrol . Its getting better for me in a sense but it’s not easy and I’m being honest . Read More Read Less

Love love love this injection. Was on the oral form of naltrexone with no effect. About 2 days after the injection, my cravings for alcohol were gone. I did experience some side effects, injection site pain (I get that with the flu shot), and fatigue. Basically, I sleep more now than I ever have, which can kinda suck. But this is the only thing that has worked to control my cravings. I recommend this to everyone I speak to that is having trouble with cravings/urges. Injection site pain lasts for about 3 days for me. Drowsiness/fatigue is pretty much all the time, but I'm not drinking anymore so I'm not complaining too much about it. Read More Read Less

The shot hurts my butt, otherwise I have no cravings. I've had 2 shots so far, have been sober for 3 months now after drinking a quart to one gallon a day of whisky for two years. After I detoxed my cravings were really bad, I was surprised this surprised this eliminated it, also helped with the PAWS and shakes

Before Vivitrol I was living on borrowed time with my opiate addiction which in 7 years was unsuccessful with just about any other treatment you could think of. I had tried buprenorphine, methadone, Keaton, acupuncture, Ayahuasca- literally everything. Then I heard about Vivitrol and thought why not. The day finally came to get my first shot 13 months ago and I haven't looked back since. They poke you right in your butt cheek and it can sting a bit but not bad. After that it's 100% effective for 28-30 days. It's too powerful to try and override or manipulate in any way so your FORCED to change your habits and way of thinking no matter how bad you want to use. Without insurance it's expensive but most plans would cover it I would think as it is a life changing medicine. I know the courts and probation agencies love recommending it to people that may be going thru legal issues as a result of their addiction. Highly recommend for anyone that wants their life back.Read More Read Less

haven't had shot yet. My problem is back pain. In Michigan they keep cutting back on pain meds which I take as directed.

I wish i would've read these before getting the shot. I have been on methadone for the past 2 years. Gradually decreased down to 1mg and stopped. Waited 2 and a half weeks before going to get the shot. I have only been smoking marijuana in the mean time. I just got my first one 4 days ago and I've felt horrible since. My left ass cheek hurts so bad i havent been able to sit or lay on it.I've also had a head ache for the past 4 days. Pretty bad stomach cramps, nausea, but the worst is the anxiety/ restlessness.Can't sleep at all. Feel very panicky. I felt better doing it on my own. I will definitely not be going to get another one. Read More Read Less

If I hadn't found out about Vivitrol, I would not be here to write this story. You have to want a new life and to stay clean. I'm not one to sugar coat anything, and I will say it is rough in the beginning. If you have the determination to stay clean, and follow through with all your goals then I 110% suggest this treatment.

I'm new to the program but felt I needed medication in addition to therapy and AA. I knew this was a brain chemistry issue and I'm a bit more of a believer in science over God to solve the problem - call me crazy. The shot itself was more like a stab with a mini-sword. I've never seen a shot administered by lifting the arm first to get momentum but it has to go deep into the butt muscles. I screamed! But besides that, it is incredible. My cravings have gone away. Of course, I have a very curious mind and though I was not craving alcohol, I wanted to see how I felt if I drank a half pint of vodka. It was completely different! No pleasure or euphoria, or a desire to have more. I didn't feel badly, but kindof itchy and hot. I would have much rather had a root beer. I was SO relieved it actually worked because if I knew it didn't, I'd continue to drink. But now...no point. It's simply a waste of money to drink alcohol. I hope I never have to go off of Vivitrol...for now at least.Read More Read Less

For Drug Dependence: Right after a rehab my son took his 1st Vivitrol shot around 1/21/15. He scheduled another visit to get 2nd shot on 02/08/15. From his wards he has not had any side effects. He was sober for about 2.5 weeks but after that I’ve started noticing changes in his Behavior… To make a story short, my son got back to drugs and regardless of the Vivitrol shot he got high on it, then he lost his bed in the Sober house,etc … I called to the Medical office where he got this shot and also contacted with Medical Department from the Vivitrol’s official site and guess what they finally told me: ”This shot is not working for everybody…”. I’m so happy to hear the cases with the happy ends and I wish this shot helped every person who wants to be recovered!!! With this message I just want to warn you DO NOT RELY on this shot for 100% and before paying such money (for 1 shot we paid $200 for visit and $700 for shot) please consider my son Vivitrol’s outcome and discuss it with you doctor. I wish you all the best!!! Read More Read Less

This shot works well for removing my alcohol cravings. I had my first shot 2 weeks ago and haven't had any cravings since day 3. I haven't been able to sit down or sleep since the pain in my butt cheek is so intense. I've almost gone to the hospital 3 separate times when the pain got unbearable, then I remind myself they can't give me anything for the pain anyway......it wouldn't work! Pretty ironic! Not sure if I'll continue with it or not. I don't think the 24 hour a day pain is worth it!

I have never been so close to death since I have had the vivitrol shot!

Yes this drug is awesome in the sense that it has helped keep me clean from opiates for a year now. HOWEVER, having said that, for the past year I have suffered from extreme levels of anxiety to the point where it makes me sick to my stomach. Also my gag reflex is soooo bad honestly just from THINKING of something gross I gag. I throw up at least 3 times a month. Everyone mentioned me being pregnant. But I can promise that after getting the shot for a year, it's not pregnancy or any other health issues; I even went to get blood work done because I was scared something was wrong with me. I'm 99% sure the vivitrol is to blame for my high anxiety and nausea.Read More Read Less