Without a doubt, Vivitrol injections are great at helping patients beat alcohol and opioid addictions. Study after study shows the jabs reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, ensuring a smoother recovery. That said, you should still consider the side effects of Vivitrol injections before you start your treatment. Your Kansas City clinic will even share the more common ones with you. So, keep reading to learn about Vivitrol injections’ side effects and how best to manage them.
Common Vivitrol Injection Side Effects
Vivitrol injections are generally safe and effective, but they can cause side effects in some cases. The most common of these are:
Nausea & Vomiting
Shortly after a Vivitrol injection, some patients may experience nausea and vomiting. These effects can occur due to your brain’s response to the jab and due to certain drug interactions. Regardless, such feelings of sickness are often mild and naturally fade after a few hours or days. The risk of nausea (and vomiting) will also decrease with future Vivitrol injections.
Headache
A headache is one of the more common side effects of Vivitrol injections. Similar to nausea and vomiting, it can result from your brain’s response to the medication and drug interactions. Still, rest assured that the effect is usually temporary and fades quickly. Headaches also become less likely as you undergo more Vivitrol injections.
Muscle Cramps
In slightly rarer cases, a Vivitrol injection can cause muscle cramps – unexpected tightening of your muscles. Such tightening is often painful and unpleasant, but it shouldn’t cause long-term harm. A patient can often “wait out” a muscle cramp until it fades on its own.
Injection Site Reactions
Given their nature, Vivitrol injections sometimes lead to injection site reactions. These can range from mild to moderate pain and bumps to outright blistering and skin lesions. On rare occasions, surgery may be required for the latter two outcomes.
Managing Vivitrol Injection Side Effects
Luckily enough, there are steps you can take to manage Vivitrol injection side effects. Just remember to do the following:
- Take Appropriate Medications – Many Vivitrol side effects can be managed with medications. As for which ones to use, consult your local doctor or recovery treatment provider.
- Avoid Intense Physical Activity – Intense exercise can aggravate things like nausea, headaches, and muscle cramps. Given that fact, don’t engage in it while your symptoms persist.
- Let Yourself Rest – Vivitrol side effects fade more quickly when you get proper rest. So, remember to stay hydrated and sleep according to a good schedule.
If you ever experience severe side effects of Vivitrol injections, see your doctor for help. They’ll provide you with a suitable treatment that eases your symptoms.
About the Practice
B&L Medical Group is based in Kansas City, KS. Led by nurse practitioner Laura Lindsay, our practice will always help those who want to conquer their alcohol and opioid addictions. We do so by offering an extensive range of medication-assisted treatments, including vetted Vivitrol injections. These procedures can be combined with talk therapy to make long-term sobriety possible! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (913)-713-1238.