Does vivitrol work

[brendan]

Does anyone know anyone who has tried vivitrol? If so, how well does it work? My brother is an alcoholic and is trying to stop and I just want to do what I can to help.

Thank you.

[TomInKan]

Here is data from their website. It was a double blind placebo controlled study. You should note that there were only 53 patients in this study which is really not a huge number.

from vivitrol site:
Among the subset of patients (n=53, 8% of the total study population) who abstained completely from drinking during the week prior to the first dose of medication, compared with placebo-treated patients, those treated with VIVITROL 380 mg had greater reductions in the number of drinking days (97% difference, P=0.02) and the number of heavy drinking days (92% difference, P<0.05). In this subset, 40% of patients treated with VIVITROL plus psychosocial support were also more likely than placebo-treated patients to maintain complete abstinence throughout treatment.

[brendan]

Thanks. Sorry if this is a stupid question but does it say that 40% of people stopped drinking? Is that considered good?

[Angie]

I am on the Vivitrol shot and it does work for me. But not by itself. Vivitrol blocks the receptor in your brain that gives you that euphoric feeling of a buzz. so, if you drank, you wouldn't have that relaxed buzzed feeling or feel drunk. But you have to be careful, because if you are bound and determined to try to overcome the shot and drink large amounts of alcohol, you are still capable of alcohol poisoning that could result in death. You will also feel the hangover. I also take Paxil for mood stabilization, Campral to take away the physical cravings, and go to therapy just for maintenance and to help keep me grounded. I think the Vivitrol shot works on my physical cravings AND my psychological cravings. I no longer try to figure out out I am going to get enough alcohol in any form so that I can not feel the panic attacks or feel anything. And even if I do drink, I won't get drunk, so what's the point? I hope this helps. Angie