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References
  1. VIVITROL Patient Information [Patient Package Insert]. Cambridge, MA: Alkermes, Inc; June 2009
  2. Grant BF, Dawson DA, Stinson FS, Chou SP, Dufour MC, Pickering RP. The 12-month prevalence and trends in DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence: United States, 1991-1992 and 2001-2002. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2004;74:223-234.
  3. US Department of Health and Human Services. 10th Special Report to the US Congress on Alcohol and Health. 2000. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/10report/intro.pdf.
  4. Anton RF. Naltrexone for the management of alcohol dependence. N Engl J Med. 2008;359:715-721.
  5. Myrick H, Anton RF, Li X, Henderson S, Randall PK, Voronin K. Effect of naltrexone and ondansetron on alcohol cue–induced activation of the ventral striatum in alcohol-dependent people. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008;65:466-475.
  6. Ewing JA. Detecting alcoholism: the CAGE questionnaire. JAMA.1984;252:1905-1907.
  7. Sher KJ, Grekin ER, Williams NA. The development of alcohol use disorders. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2005;1:493-523.
  8. Grant BF. The impact of a family history of alcoholism on the relationship between age at onset of alcohol use and DSM–IV alcohol dependence: results of the National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey. Alcohol Health Res World. 1998;22:144-147.
  9. Hasin DS, Stinson FS, Ogburn E, Grant BF. Prevalence, correlates, disability, and comorbidity of DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence in the United States. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2007;64:830-842.
  10. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Helping patients who drink too much: a clinician's guide. NIH publication 07-3769. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Practitioner/CliniciansGuide2005/guide.pdf. May 2007 reprint. Accessed July 24, 2008.
  11. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Division of Pharmacologic Therapies. Medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders. http://www.dpt.samhsa.gov. Accessed May 5, 2008.
  12. Fishman MJ, DiClemente CC, Levounis P, McLellan AT, Mee-Lee D. CME activity based on: Achieving treatment success in alcohol dependence: integrating pharmacologic and psychosocial approaches. American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) 2007 Annual Medical Scientific Conference; April 28, 2007; Miami, FL.
  13. US Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Substance Abuse Treatment Advisory. 2007;6(1). http://download.ncadi.samhsa.gov/prevline/pdfs/SMA07-4267.pdf.
  14. VIVITROL [full prescribing information]. Cambridge, MA: Alkermes, Inc; December 2008.
  15. Oswald LM, Wand GS. Opioids and alcoholism. Physiol Behav. 2004;81:339-358.
  16. Kenna GA, McGeary JE, Swift RM. Pharmacotherapy, pharmacogenomics, and the future of alcohol dependence treatment, part 1. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2004;61:2272-2279.
  17. Data on file, Alkermes, Inc.

If you would like more information on alcohol dependence and treatment options, please talk with your doctor or healthcare provider.
 

Important Safety Information1

What is VIVITROL?

VIVITROL is an injectable medicine for the treatment of alcohol dependence in adults 18 years and older.

To benefit from VIVITROL, you need to stop drinking before starting the medicine.

To be effective, treatment with VIVITROL must be used along with other alcohol dependence recovery measures, such as counseling.

VIVITROL may not work for everyone.

VIVITROL has not been studied in children under the age of 18.

What important information should I know about VIVITROL?

  1. VIVITROL may be associated with liver damage or hepatitis.

    • Call your doctor if you develop stomach area pain lasting more than a few days, light-colored bowel movements, dark urine, or yellowing of your eyes

  2. VIVITROL blocks the effects of opioid-containing medicines.

    • You may not feel the same effects of opioid-containing medicines including medicines for pain, cough, and diarrhea
    • You may not feel the same effects if you use or abuse heroin and other illegal (street) opioids
    • Do not take large amounts of opioid medicines to overcome the VIVITROL block. This can lead to serious injury, coma, or death

  3. VIVITROL has been associated with severe allergic pneumonia.

    • Call your doctor if you develop shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing

Who should not take VIVITROL?

Do not take VIVITROL if you:

What should I tell my doctor before starting VIVITROL?

Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • Have liver problems
  • Use opioid-containing medicines
  • Use or abuse street (illegal) drugs
  • Have hemophilia or other bleeding problems
  • Have kidney problems
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if VIVITROL can harm your unborn baby
  • Are breastfeeding. It is not known if VIVITROL passes into your milk, and if it can harm your baby

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take any opioid-containing medicines for pain, cough, or diarrhea. (See What important information should I know about VIVITROL? )

Carry written information to alert medical personnel that you are taking VIVITROL so that they can treat you properly in an emergency.

How do I take VIVITROL?

VIVITROL is given as an intramuscular injection in your buttocks. It is injected by your doctor or healthcare provider about once a month. Because VIVITROL is an injection, once it is given, you cannot remove it from the body.

If you miss your appointment for a VIVITROL injection, schedule another appointment as soon as possible.

Whenever you need medical treatment, be sure to tell the treating doctor or nurse that you are receiving VIVITROL injections.

What should I avoid while taking VIVITROL?

VIVITROL may make you feel dizzy. Do not drive a car, work with machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you and your doctor know how VIVITROL affects you. (See What are the possible side effects of VIVITROL?)

What are the possible side effects of VIVITROL?

VIVITROL may cause side effects including:

  • A reaction at the injection site. The reaction could be pain, tenderness, swelling, redness, bruising, and/or itching. Sometimes reactions at the injection site can quickly worsen and skin and other tissue can be permanently damaged and require surgery. If you have an injection site reaction, tell your doctor or healthcare provider
  • Nausea

Other common side effects of VIVITROL are:

  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Vomiting
  • Decreased appetite
  • Painful joints
  • Muscle cramps

Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the side effects of VIVITROL. For more information, ask your doctor or healthcare provider.

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