Naltrexone: what it is and who it is for.
Naltrexone is a prescription-only medicine that NICE guidance recommends considering for alcohol dependence, as part of a wider treatment plan. This page explains how it works, who it may suit, who it is not suitable for, and what our assessment involves.
Your questions and your 15-minute call cost nothing. A £395 one-off programme fee applies afterwards, and only if your clinician decides this is right for you and you choose to go ahead. Otherwise you pay nothing. Any medicine is bought separately.
- One-to-one consultation with a UK-registered prescriber
- Private naltrexone prescription, or alternative if needed
- Dispensed by our UK pharmacy
- Free next day tracked delivery, in plain packaging
You then buy your medication from us, priced per packet. Delivery is always free.
How the assessment works
One fee covers the assessment, the clinical review and the consultation, whatever your clinician concludes.
Online assessment
Complete a confidential health questionnaire covering your medical history and recovery goals.
Speak to a clinician
A UK-registered prescriber reviews your assessment and talks through whether naltrexone is right for you. Calls run until 6pm on weekdays and 11am to 1pm at weekends, so you can fit it around work.
Prescription & delivery
Your prescription is dispensed by our UK pharmacy and shipped in plain, unbranded packaging.
How naltrexone works
Alcohol dependence is driven in large part by the brain’s reward system. Naltrexone blocks the opioid receptors involved in alcohol’s rewarding effect, which for some people reduces the urge to drink over time. It does not work for everyone, and NICE recommends it alongside wider support rather than on its own.
The naltrexone we prescribe is not licensed for alcohol dependence, so prescribing it for this is known as off-label use. UK prescribers can do this when they judge it to be in your best interests based on the evidence. Your clinician will explain what that means for you on your call.
- 01Reduces cravingsDiminishes the psychological urge to drink by blocking alcohol's reward response.
- 02Supports long-term changeHelps patients maintain sobriety or moderation goals over time.
- 03Used alongside behavioural changeNICE recommends it alongside psychological support, not as a standalone cure.
Naltrexone is a prescription-only medicine and is supplied only where a clinician judges it appropriate following assessment. It is not suitable for everyone, and your clinician will discuss the alternatives with you if it is not right for your situation.
Who it is not suitable for
- Anyone taking opioid painkillers. Naltrexone blocks opioids such as codeine, tramadol and morphine. If you take these, it is not appropriate for you.
- Anyone with liver concerns. Naltrexone is processed by the liver, so your clinician may ask for a recent liver function test before prescribing or during treatment.
- Anyone looking for a cure on its own. It is meant to be used as part of a wider treatment plan, not as a standalone treatment.
Common side effects
Nausea, headache, dizziness, tiredness and disturbed sleep. These usually settle within the first week or two. Because naltrexone blocks opioid painkillers, you must tell any doctor, dentist or paramedic treating you that you are taking it. Your prescriber goes through the full list with you before you start.
Completely confidential
Consultations are encrypted and packaging carries no pharmacy branding. Your data stays with our own team and is never sold or shared for marketing.
How you take it
We follow The Sinclair Method: one 50mg tablet an hour before drinking, and only on days you drink. Your clinician goes through this with you.
Ongoing clinical support
Message our clinical team from your account whenever you have a question. Mild nausea or headache can occur initially, and all risks are discussed with your prescriber.
Common questions about naltrexone
Is naltrexone right for my alcohol addiction?
NICE guidance recommends considering naltrexone for alcohol dependence as part of a wider treatment plan. It suits people who want to stop drinking or cut down substantially, and who are ready to pair medication with behavioural change. It is not a standalone cure for alcohol addiction, and it is not suitable if you are currently taking opioid painkillers. Your clinician confirms whether it is appropriate for you during your consultation.
Do I need to stop drinking before I start?
Usually not. Most people start naltrexone while they are still drinking and cut down gradually as the urge fades. On your call, your clinician talks through how much you drink now and anything else you take. If you are drinking very heavily every day, cutting down suddenly can be unsafe, so they may suggest getting support to reduce safely first, and they will point you to the right place.
Will I need a blood test?
Naltrexone is processed by the liver, so your clinician may ask for a recent liver function test before prescribing or during treatment. You can upload results from your GP to your patient dashboard, or we will explain how to arrange one. This is a routine safety check, not an obstacle to treatment.
What are the side effects?
The most common are nausea, headache, dizziness, tiredness and disturbed sleep. These usually settle within the first week or two. Importantly, naltrexone blocks opioid painkillers such as codeine, tramadol and morphine, so you must tell any doctor, dentist or paramedic treating you that you are taking it. Your prescriber goes through the full list before you start.
How long will I take it for?
Most courses run for several months, with your clinician reviewing progress along the way. Some patients take naltrexone for six to twelve months while they build new habits; others continue for longer. There is no fixed end point, and your clinician reviews whether continuing is appropriate for you.
What if naltrexone isn’t suitable for me?
If your clinician decides naltrexone is not the right treatment, they will explain why and discuss the alternatives available to you, including a different medication where appropriate. Your call is free either way, and the £395 programme fee only applies if they decide this is right for you and you wish to proceed. You only pay for medication if a prescription is issued and you choose to have it dispensed.
Speak to a clinician about whether this is right for you.
The questions take about 10 minutes and the 15-minute call is free. A £395 one-off programme fee applies afterwards, and only if your clinician decides this is right for you and you choose to go ahead. If they judge naltrexone unsuitable, or you decide against it, you pay nothing. Any medicine is bought separately from our pharmacy.
Sources
The clinical information on this page is checked against these UK sources. Last checked 14 September 2026.
- Alcohol-use disorder, NHS.Used for: naltrexone as one of the medicines that help reduce alcohol cravings, and getting medical help before cutting down if you have withdrawal symptoms.
- Alcohol-use disorders: diagnosis, assessment and management of harmful drinking (high-risk drinking) and alcohol dependence (CG115), NICE.Used for: considering naltrexone for alcohol dependence alongside psychological support rather than on its own, including for harmful drinking and mild dependence, withdrawal first for more severe dependence, checking liver function before starting, a maintenance dose of 50mg a day, and regular review by a clinician while you take it.
- Naltrexone hydrochloride, British National Formulary (BNF), NICE.Used for: how naltrexone works by blocking opioid receptors, the usual 50mg daily dose, avoiding opioid medicines while taking it, liver function tests before and during treatment, and its common side effects, including nausea, headache, dizziness and sleep problems.
- Off-label or unlicensed use of medicines: prescribers' responsibilities, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).Used for: what off-label use means, and that prescribers can prescribe a medicine off-label when they judge it to be in a patient's best interests.
Clinically reviewed by Dr Wisam Tatari, Clinical Lead, Independent Prescriber, GPhC 2063769.
Last reviewed 8 September 2026. We review this page when the clinical guidance it describes changes, and at least once a year.