Vivitrol

Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.

About Vivitrol

What it is

Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist: it blocks opioid receptors for a day or more, so opioids have little effect and the rewarding effect of alcohol is dampened. It is used to help prevent relapse in alcohol dependence and, after detoxification, in opioid dependence, as tablets or a monthly injection; combined with bupropion it is used for weight management. It is sold as ReVia and Vivitrol, among other names.

How genes come into it

Naltrexone is broken down by dihydrodiol dehydrogenases (such as AKR1C4) into 6-beta-naltrexol, not by CYP enzymes. Most gene studies on it looked at the opioid receptor gene OPRM1: early studies suggested people with the Asp40 (A118G) variant drank less on naltrexone, but a larger prospective trial did not confirm it. Studies have also looked at OPRK1, OPRD1 and alcohol-metabolism genes. There is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.

What research found

Every published finding on gene variants and Vivitrol. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.

Rated evidence (10 rated variants)

PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.

ALDH2 rs671: Level 3. Efficacy: Alcohol abuse. 1.

ADH1C rs698: Level 3. Efficacy: Alcohol abuse. 1.

OPRD1 rs4654327: Level 3. Efficacy: Alcohol abuse. 1.

ADH1B rs2066702: Level 3. Efficacy: Alcohol abuse. 1.

Response (45 findings)

Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.

rs12749274: Allele A is associated with decreased response to naltrexone in people with Alcoholism as compared to allele G.

ADH1B rs2066702: Allele A is associated with decreased response to naltrexone in men with Alcoholism as compared to allele G.

ADH1C rs698: Allele C is associated with increased response to naltrexone in men with Alcoholism as compared to allele T.

ALDH2 rs671: Allele G is associated with increased response to naltrexone in men with Alcoholism as compared to allele A.

Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.

Related Drugs

More drugs from the same category

Narcan (Opioid Antagonists)

Abilify (Antipsychotics)

Adderall (Stimulants)

Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.

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Content updated September 2026.

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