Vivitrol is an FDA-approved medication that can help people with opioid dependence or alcoholism to maintain abstinence.
However, many people will wonder exactly how you can get the medication and if you can buy it without a prescription.
In this article, we will discuss whether you can buy Vivitrol without a prescription and how to get the medication. Read on to learn more about:
- If you can buy Vivitrol without a prescription
- Where you can get Vivitrol shots from
- How to access Vivitrol legitimately.
Let’s get into it.
Can You Buy Vivitrol With No Prescription?
No. Vivitrol is a prescription-only medication.
This means that you cannot buy the medication over the counter without seeing a medical professional first.
Vivitrol can be prescribed to people with alcohol use disorders and to people who suffer from opioid dependence once they have gone through opioid detoxification.
The medication is not suitable for everyone and is only given as an intramuscular injection by a medical professional.
Where Can I Get a Vivitrol Shot?
If you have seen your healthcare provider, and they have given you a prescription for Vivitrol, there are a few places where you can get a Vivitrol shot.
Your doctor will be able to show you a list of nearby clinics where you can receive a Vivitrol injection.
If you are unsure, you can find a list of clinics here.
How to Access Vivitrol Legitimately
1. Consulting with a healthcare provider
If you suffer from alcoholism or are at risk of relapse due to an addiction to opioids, it is important that you make an appointment with your healthcare provider.
Your doctor will discuss different Medication-Assisted Treatment options with you, including Vivitrol.
The doctor will explain how Vivitrol works to help people who have a dependence on opioids and alcohol and will discuss the various risks and benefits of the medication.
2. Meeting the criteria for Vivitrol treatment
Your doctor will ask you a series of questions in order to make sure that Vivitrol is right for you.
They will ask you about your history of substance use, including your use of Opioid-containing medicines, opioid street drugs, and alcohol dependence.
It is important to be as open and honest as possible. If you are currently using opioids or are in ‘active addiction’ and are unlikely to be able to detoxify from opioids, you will likely not be able to be prescribed the medication.
They will also make sure you do not have any past medical problems which may make the medication unsuitable for you to take. This may include severe allergic reactions and severe liver damage.
Your healthcare professional will also ask you about your treatment goals.
3. Undergoing necessary medical assessments
Before prescribing the medication, your healthcare provider may ask you to undergo some medical tests to make sure the medication is safe for you to take.
Your doctor will likely:
- Check your blood pressure
- Run blood tests, looking at your liver function
- Run a urine test to check for kidney function
- Ask about any medications you are taking along with herbal supplements
- Ask about suicidal behavior and depressed mood.
One of the key medical assessments that will be made before giving you an injection of Vivitrol is a Naloxone challenge. Naloxone is the active ingredient found in Vivitrol and works by blocking the effects of opioids.
If someone has opioids in their system, it will cause severe opioid withdrawal symptoms. A Naloxone challenge is a test that looks for this.
During a naloxone challenge, a healthcare provider will ask you to do a urine test to make sure there are no opioids in your system.
They will then give you a small amount of the medication and look for sudden opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Final Thoughts
Vivitrol is a prescription injectable that can be given to people with opioid use disorder and is also used for the treatment of alcohol dependence.
If you are worried about your dependence on opioid-containing medicines, opioid street drugs, or alcohol, it is important to seek help and visit your doctor.
Your healthcare provider will discuss whether medication such as Vivitrol is right for you. They will put you through any necessary checks before prescribing the medication and offering you the support you need.
