ReVia Mechanism of Action

ReVia (naltrexone) can reduce alcohol cravings and help the patient stay free of drugs they've been previously addicted to. Even though ReVia was approved by the FDA for the treatment of opioid dependence, it's most commonly used to treat alcoholism. It’s not known exactly how ReVia works to treat alcohol addiction. As for opioid dependence, ReVia works by blocking the euphoric effects of drugs in this group in the patient.

This drug's active ingredient naltrexone is a pure opioid antagonist. Opioids (a term that describes a group of drugs used for fast and efficient pain relief) act by affecting opiate receptors in the brain. By binding to those opiate receptors, ReVia can block the effects of opioids, thus helping the patient avoid going back to abusing or using those substances. This medicine does not affect the psychological aspect of drug or alcohol abuse in any way, so counseling is often required to help patients overcome the problem.

ReVia needs to be taken regularly to be most efficient, as the support it provides in terms of being able to resist the temptation of going back to drinking or abusing opioids is only temporary. ReVia should be taken at regular intervals for naltrexone to remain on the same level in the bloodstream and have the effects expected.