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naltrexone (Revia)
Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids and endogenous opioid peptides in the central nervous system.
Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids and endogenous opioid peptides in the central nervous system. Used for Opioid use disorder, Alcohol use disorder.
At a glance
| Generic name | naltrexone (Revia) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill |
| Drug class | Opioid receptor antagonist |
| Target | Opioid receptors (mu, delta, kappa) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Psychiatry / Addiction Medicine |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Naltrexone competitively binds to opioid receptors (mu, delta, and kappa) with highest affinity for mu receptors, preventing opioid agonists from activating these receptors. This mechanism is used to treat opioid use disorder by reducing cravings and blocking the rewarding effects of opioids, and also for alcohol use disorder where the exact mechanism involves modulation of endogenous opioid signaling related to reward and reinforcement.
Approved indications
- Opioid use disorder
- Alcohol use disorder
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Abdominal pain
- Joint and muscle pain
Key clinical trials
- Pharmacological and Behavioral Treatment After Bariatric Surgery: Acute (Stage 1) (PHASE2, PHASE3)
- Lemborexant Augmentation of Naltrexone for Alcohol Craving and Sleep (PHASE3)
- Preoperative Weight Loss for Open Abdominal Wall Reconstruction (NA)
- A Multiple Health Behavior Change (MHBC) Intervention for Weight Loss and Smoking Cessation for Pre-Bariatric Surgery Patients (PHASE1, PHASE2)
- Low-dose Naltrexone for Post-COVID Fatigue Syndrome (PHASE2)
- Development of a MHBC Intervention for Weight Loss and Smoking Cessation for Pre-Bariatric Surgery Patients (PHASE1)
- Combination Gerotherapeutic Interventions for Healthspan Improvement (PHASE3)
- Individualized Pharmacological Approach to Obesity in Patients With Bipolar Disorder (PHASE4)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- naltrexone (Revia) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- naltrexone (Revia) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill portfolio CI