Is vivitrol effective for alcohol dependence?

How well does Vivitrol work for alcohol dependence?

Vivitrol is an extended-release naltrexone injection given once a month. Clinical trials show it can reduce heavy drinking days and help patients stay in treatment. A 24-week study found patients on Vivitrol had fewer heavy drinking days than those who received placebo. A separate trial showed it helped patients who had already stopped drinking to stay sober.

Does Vivitrol work better than daily oral naltrexone?

Oral naltrexone must be taken daily. Many patients stop taking it. Vivitrol eliminates this compliance problem by delivering consistent medication levels for a full month. Studies directly comparing them find Vivitrol improves treatment retention and reduces relapse rates.