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The Advantages of Using Naltrexone for Weight Loss

Naltrexone provides people with a lot of helpful ways to manage their weight. Of course, people using naltrexone still need to eat fewer calories than they burn if they want to lose weight. It won’t magically make pounds fall off while you continue to eat excessively. However, the way it interacts with your body makes it a lot easier and less stressful to lose weight. People who try naltrexone for weight loss often report these advantages:

• • Lowered appetite: People still get food cravings on naltrexone, but these cravings tend to occur less often and are satisfied more easily. The lower appetite helps you naturally eat less.
  • Reduced incentive to overeat: With naltrexone, most people no longer feel a rush of satisfaction from binging on food. This makes it a lot easier to eat moderately.
  • Improved mood: Especially if you take a naltrexone medication, you’ll find that you feel less stressed and sad. This can help to combat emotional overeating.
  • Stabilized blood sugar: Naltrexone helps to improve insulin sensitivity, so you have less drastic blood sugar swings. This prevents hypoglycemic crashes that might make you crave sugary or carb-laden food.
  • More energy: One of the big reasons that people stop dieting is because they feel tired and fatigued. Naltrexone and bupropion can help you feel more alert and active even if you’re eating less.

Potential Side Effects and Concerns of Using Naltrexone for Weight Loss

Though naltrexone has some promising weight loss effects, it’s not a foolproof method. There are some side effects associated with this medication. In a 2017 study, 22% of test subjects chose to leave the study due to the side effects of naltrexone. The most commonly reported issue was gastrointestinal upset and nausea. Some people also had anxiety, headaches, insomnia, or dizziness. Those who take very high doses may be more susceptible to liver damage. In most patients, side effects were strongest right when they started using the medication and calmed down over time. No research indicates that there is a risk associated with long-term naltrexone use.

Though all of these side effects can sound concerning, it’s important to keep in mind that naltrexone is still a very safe medication. Extensive reviews were conducted before the FDA approved it, and there is no evidence that it causes serious side effects. While some patients might have minor issues like nausea, naltrexone doesn’t cause dangerous issues like heart failure or strokes.