Key takeaway
Revia is oral naltrexone. It can support alcohol or opioid recovery when a clinician clears you first, especially for liver risk and opioid-free status. It is not an Antabuse-style alcohol reaction drug. Call or text (800) 653-9376 to compare oral naltrexone with clinic options.
Last updated: Wed Oct 07 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Revia is a brand name for oral naltrexone, an opioid antagonist used for alcohol use disorder and, after careful timing, opioid use disorder. Search traffic often mixes Revia, generic naltrexone, and the monthly shot Vivitrol. They share a mechanism; they do not share a schedule or a clinic workflow.
This page is education, not a dosing guide. Call 911 for overdose or severe withdrawal emergencies. Call or text 988 for a crisis.
What Revia does
Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors. For alcohol use disorder, that blockade can reduce the rewarding effects of drinking for many people. For opioid use disorder, it blocks opioids after the person is already opioid-free - it is not a substitute opioid like methadone or buprenorphine.
Revia will not create an Antabuse-style sickness if you drink. If that is what you were promised, you were hearing about disulfiram, not naltrexone.
Revia vs Vivitrol vs other options
| Option | Form | Typical role |
|---|---|---|
| Revia / oral naltrexone | Daily tablet | Flexible, pharmacy-based, adherence-dependent |
| Vivitrol | Monthly injection | Clinic-administered extended release |
| Acamprosate | Oral | Alcohol use disorder maintenance after detox for many candidates |
| Buprenorphine / methadone | Oral / OTP | First-line for many opioid use disorder cases |
See naltrexone and Vivitrol for the broader MAT overview and naltrexone side effects for tolerability details.
Safety checks before the first dose
- Opioid status: starting too soon after opioids can precipitate withdrawal
- Liver history: naltrexone carries hepatotoxicity warnings; labs are common
- Pain plans: elective opioid analgesia will not work the same while blocked
- Pregnancy and other meds: decide with the prescribing clinician
How to start
- Ask a clinician whether oral naltrexone fits your goal (alcohol, opioids, or both contexts).
- Confirm insurance coverage for Revia vs generic naltrexone vs Vivitrol.
- Pair medication with counseling or recovery support - pills alone are rarely the whole plan.
- Call or text (800) 653-9376 or use this form if you need help finding a prescriber:
Calling is free; the referral service is paid for by treatment providers, and we check your benefits before you commit.
You can also search findtreatment.gov for medication-assisted treatment near you.
Additional Resources
Sources cited on this page:
- FDA drug labeling (naltrexone)
- NIAAA - Treatment for Alcohol Problems
- NIDA - Medications for Opioid Use Disorder
- SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Common Questions
What is Revia used for?
Revia is a brand of oral naltrexone. Clinicians use naltrexone for alcohol use disorder and for opioid use disorder after a person is opioid-free long enough to avoid precipitated withdrawal.
Is Revia the same as Vivitrol?
Same active medicine, different delivery. Revia is a daily oral tablet. Vivitrol is a monthly extended-release injection. Choice depends on adherence, clinic access, and clinical judgment.
Will Revia make me sick if I drink?
No. Naltrexone is not disulfiram. It does not create an Antabuse-style reaction with alcohol. It can reduce reinforcing effects of drinking for many people.
What are common Revia side effects?
Nausea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, and sleep changes are common early on. Naltrexone also carries liver-related warnings, so clinicians often check labs.
Can I start Revia while still using opioids?
Usually no. Starting an opioid antagonist too soon can precipitate withdrawal. A clinician should confirm opioid-free timing before the first dose.