Does Naltrexone Help With Weight Loss?
![Reframe App Logo](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60d10433104bca13abce2c13/6524611f0bc6ca7db5aea21b_logo.webp)
It seems as if new weight loss trends pop up every day. From diets like carnivore to keto, medications like Ozempic and now naltrexone, it's difficult to know what works and what is just the latest diet craze. Sure, a pill to help shed the pounds sounds great, but is it too good to be true? Most medications come with a paragraph of warnings, usually printed in the smallest font possible — obscuring the long list of side effects and risks. To make matters more complicated, weight loss doesn’t always mean better health. If we’re looking for a long-term solution to a healthier lifestyle, we need a clearer look at the whole picture.
Whether you’ve been prescribed naltrexone and are wondering why the number on the scale is going down, or you’re looking for a medication to aid in weight loss, understanding the science behind how naltrexone works can provide some answers. So, let’s investigate what naltrexone is, how it works, and who stands to benefit most from using it.
Naltrexone is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD). It’s a highly controlled substance that requires a prescription and, often, administration by a licensed practitioner. It’s used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) as just one component of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Naltrexone comes in a pill and extended-release intramuscular injection form. Both forms are used to supplement a combination of behavioral therapies and counseling for a holistic approach to treating substance use disorders.
These are two common implementations of naltrexone aside from treating substance misuse:
Naltrexone is used to treat opioid misuse, alcohol misuse, inflammatory conditions, obesity … this pharmaceutical multitool has quite the skillset. So just how does it do all this?
Naltrexone is classified as an opioid antagonist or opioid blocker. As the name suggests, drugs like naltrexone prevent substances from binding to opioid receptors, effectively blocking the pleasure response from substance use.
Since naltrexone blocks a substance's ability to give us those familiar positive feelings, we quickly become less psychologically dependent on it — we crave it less, and it doesn’t seem quite so appealing. Ever had a moment when you opened a bag of chips and couldn’t stop until the bag was empty? Now imagine if you suddenly lost your sense of taste while eating the bag of chips. Sure, you’d probably freak out because you’d lost your sense of taste, but most of us would also stop eating the chips since taste is the reward that keeps us going back for more.
The physiological effects of drinking stem from dopamine release and activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis. Research shows that naltrexone diminishes dopamine release and HPA activation, adding to its effectiveness as a treatment for substance dependence. Naltrexone works as a medication to decrease alcohol opioid misuse, but let’s take a look at why it’s also tied to weight loss.
Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors, which reduces intoxication effects, but its impact on our reward system also causes secondary effects that can influence our weight. The opioid system regulates our mood, hunger, pain, and reward system. Naltrexone's damper on the opioid system can lead to a number of side effects.
In contrast to naltrexone, alcohol is linked to weight gain. Here are four main ways that alcohol causes weight gain:
It is important to make the distinction between the different ways that naltrexone is used for weight loss. Understanding the intention for the use of naltrexone helps us examine its practicality as a weight loss solution. We can define the different intentions this way:
Now that we have a better understanding of how naltrexone and weight loss are connected, let’s take a look at the versatility of naltrexone to see how it can treat various conditions.
Naltrexone is an approved treatment for alcohol use disorder but is being explored for other treatments, which brings up the question of drinking while taking naltrexone.
The opioid-blocking effects of naltrexone inhibit the feelings of intoxication but do not prevent the other impacts of alcohol. While drinking on naltrexone, we continue to experience impairments such as delayed response time, lack of motor coordination, and impaired thinking. It’s important to note that driving and participating in other activities that require full coordination and function should not be attempted.
While used to reduce alcohol dependence, starting naltrexone does not require full abstinence from alcohol. The Sinclair Method actually uses naltrexone in conjunction with drinking to slowly reduce the desire for alcohol consumption. Naltrexone should always be used as part of a treatment program that involves behavioral treatment and therapies in order to help reduce dependence. Individual needs will vary, and it’s important to discuss personal circumstances with our own practitioner and treatment team.
Before taking a look at some of the common side effects of naltrexone, it’s important to note that naltrexone should not be taken with any opioids (including opioid-containing medication). Before starting naltrexone, a detox period of up to two weeks may be needed to help prevent overdose or withdrawal symptoms. Used as prescribed, naltrexone is relatively safe but may cause side effects such as:
More serious side effects include depression, allergic reactions, and pneumonia.
Contrave, the FDA-approved medication for obesity, also contains bupropion, adding to the list of naltrexone side effects for weight loss. Common side effects of bupropion are:
Bupropion is an antidepressant and requires warnings for depression, mood changes, and increased risk for suicidal thoughts. If we are susceptible to mood changes, we should stay in regular contact with our prescribing physician and check in regularly with the professionals helping guide our treatment regimen.
Now that we're aware of the potential risks of using naltrexone for weight loss, let’s take a look at who may benefit from it.
If used as a medication for weight loss, specific criteria should be met prior to taking naltrexone. Naltrexone should be used only as a last resort because it comes with more risks than many other methods of weight loss. If excess weight is causing medical concerns and we haven’t been able to lose weight through traditional methods, we could benefit from using naltrexone.
Those of us who are prescribed naltrexone for other purposes should not make weight loss an intention or priority. It can be beneficial to implement healthy habits that, coupled with naltrexone’s weight-reducing effects, can lead to an overall healthier lifestyle. While naltrexone can be instrumental in weight loss, it's not appropriate for everyone to use.
Naltrexone is effective for a number of different conditions but can cause adverse effects when not used appropriately. It should not be used by anyone who is ...
Now that we’ve analyzed who should and shouldn’t use naltrexone, let’s explore some actions we can all take to better our overall health.
Health and wellness can be subjective, but implementing healthy habits can improve our physical and mental well-being. These are some ways we can positively influence our health:
Naltrexone seems to be a jack of all trades. It’s an effective treatment for alcohol and opioid use disorder and can contribute to weight loss, whether primary or after-effect. As with any drug, there is a long list of potential risks. Using naltrexone for weight loss requires thorough consideration and should be used only after other alternatives have been explored. Body weight is but a small fragment of our overall health. We can manipulate plenty of other aspects of our well-being to live a happy and healthy life. Like the great Roman poet Virgil said, “The greatest wealth is health”.
1. Why is naltrexone associated with weight loss?
Weight loss is a common side effect of naltrexone due to the way the drug impacts our brain’s reward system.
2. What is naltrexone used to treat?
Naltrexone is primarily used to treat dependence on alcohol and other substances.
3. What is the best dose of naltrexone for weight loss?
The dosage prescribed will depend on a number of individual factors. If used solely for weight loss, the lowest effective dose should be used.
4. What is the best time of day to take naltrexone for weight loss?
There is no time of day that makes naltrexone more effective for weight loss. However, even low doses may have some stimulant effects that could disrupt sleep patterns — suggesting that taking naltrexone in the morning may be a better option.
5. Why is naltrexone commonly paired with bupropion?
Naltrexone affects our brain’s reward system, and bupropion affects our brain’s hunger signals. Together, they can reduce appetite and cravings — leading to weight loss.
6. Is it safe to use naltrexone for weight loss?
Taking any drug is associated with risks and side effects. It’s recommended to consult with your practitioner regarding personal recommendations.
Although it isn’t a treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD), the Reframe app can help you cut back on drinking gradually, with the science-backed knowledge to empower you 100% of the way. Our proven program has helped millions of people around the world drink less and live more. And we want to help you get there, too!
The Reframe app equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to not only survive drinking less, but to thrive while you navigate the journey. Our daily research-backed readings teach you the neuroscience of alcohol, and our in-app Toolkit provides the resources and activities you need to navigate each challenge.
You’ll meet millions of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings. Receive encouragement from people worldwide who know exactly what you’re going through! You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our licensed Reframe coaches for more personalized guidance.
Plus, we’re always introducing new features to optimize your in-app experience. We recently launched our in-app chatbot, Melody, powered by the world’s most powerful AI technology. Melody is here to help as you adjust to a life with less (or no) alcohol.
And that’s not all! Every month, we launch fun challenges, like Dry/Damp January, Mental Health May, and Outdoorsy June. You won’t want to miss out on the chance to participate alongside fellow Reframers (or solo if that’s more your thing!).
The Reframe app is free for 7 days, so you don’t have anything to lose by trying it. Are you ready to feel empowered and discover life beyond alcohol? Then download our app through the App Store or Google Play today!
Reframe supports you in reducing alcohol consumption and enhancing your well-being.