The Basics
What is Naltrexone?
Used to help people to avoid drinking or using drugs that works by decreasing the craving for alcohol and blocking the effects of opiate medications and opioid street drugs.
Brand names for Naltrexone
Revia
How Naltrexone is classified
Narcotic Antagonists
Naltrexone During Pregnancy
Naltrexone pregnancy category
Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Naltrexone while pregnant
Naltrexone has been shown to increase the incidence of early fetal loss when given to rats at doses ≥ 30 mg/kg/day (180 mg/m²/day; 5 times the recommended therapeutic dose, based on body surface area) and to rabbits at oral doses ≥ 60 mg/kg/day (720 mg/m²/day; 18 times the recommended therapeutic dose, based on body surface area). There was no evidence of teratogenicity when naltrexone was administered orally to rats and rabbits during the period of major organogenesis at doses up to 200 mg/kg/day (32 and 65 times the recommended therapeutic dose, respectively, based on body surface area). Rats do not form appreciable quantities of the major human metabolite, 6-β-naltrexol; therefore, the potential reproductive toxicity of the metabolite in rats is not known. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. REVIA should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Taking Naltrexone While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Naltrexone?
Limited data indicate that naltrexone is minimally excreted into breastmilk. If naltrexone is required by the mother, it is not a reason to discontinue breastfeeding.
Maternal / infant drug levels
Limited data indicate that naltrexone is minimally excreted into breastmilk. If naltrexone is required by the mother, it is not a reason to discontinue breastfeeding.
Possible effects of Naltrexone on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Naltrexone
Buprenorphine, Methadone.
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. Chan CF, Page-Sharp M, Kristensen JH et al. Transfer of naltrexone and its metabolite 6,beta-naltrexol into human milk. J Hum Lact. 2004;20:322-6. PMID: 15296587
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
