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naltrexone vs thioridazine

Side-by-side comparison of naltrexone and thioridazine. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

Lethargy and somnolence have been reported following doses of naltrexone hydrochloride and thioridazine.

Recommendation: Tell your doctor if you feel unusually sleepy or sluggish. They may need to monitor your symptoms or adjust your medications.

Drug Class
naltrexone Opioid Antagonist
thioridazine Typical Antipsychotic (Phenothiazine)
Type
naltrexone Prescription
thioridazine Prescription
Summary
naltrexone

Naltrexone is a medicine that can help treat alcohol and opioid dependence. It works by blocking the effects of opioids in your body.

thioridazine

Thioridazine is a medicine used to treat schizophrenia. It is only used when other antipsychotic medicines have not worked well enough.

What It Treats
naltrexone

Naltrexone is used to treat alcohol dependence and to block the effects of opioid drugs. It is important to use naltrexone as part of a complete treatment plan. This plan should include counseling and support to help you stay sober or opioid-free.

thioridazine

Thioridazine is used to manage schizophrenia in adults and children. You should only use this medicine if other antipsychotic medicines have not worked for you. This is because thioridazine can cause serious heart problems.

How It Works
naltrexone

Naltrexone blocks the effects of opioids by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain. This prevents opioids from having their usual effects, like pain relief or feelings of euphoria. By blocking these effects, naltrexone can help reduce cravings for alcohol or opioids.

thioridazine

Thioridazine affects the balance of certain chemicals in the brain. These chemicals, like dopamine, can affect mood and behavior. By changing the balance, thioridazine helps to reduce symptoms of schizophrenia.

Common Side Effects
naltrexone
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety
thioridazine
  • Drowsiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Blurred vision
  • Constipation
  • Nausea
FAERS Reports
naltrexone
  • Reaction at the injection site 4,407
  • Pain at the injection site 3,111
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 2,094
  • Alcohol addiction 1,942
  • Lump at the injection site 1,895
thioridazine
  • Weight gain 8
  • Shortness of breath 7
  • Muscle spasms and contractions 6
  • High blood sugar 6
  • Low oxygen levels 6
Serious Warnings
naltrexone

Naltrexone can cause serious withdrawal symptoms if you are still using opioids. Make sure you are opioid-free for at least 7 to 10 days before starting naltrexone. If you experience severe withdrawal symptoms, seek medical help right away.

thioridazine

Thioridazine can cause a life-threatening heart rhythm problem called Torsades de pointes, which can lead to sudden death. Because of this risk, only use thioridazine if other antipsychotic medicines have not worked. Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis who are treated with antipsychotic drugs have an increased risk of death.

Pregnancy
naltrexone

It is not known if naltrexone is safe to use during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if naltrexone passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

thioridazine

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if thioridazine will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking thioridazine during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This naltrexone vs thioridazine Comparison

naltrexone is classified in the Opioid Antagonist drug class, while thioridazine sits within the Typical Antipsychotic (Phenothiazine) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, naltrexone has 13,449 submissions while thioridazine has 33. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to taking these two drugs together can cause an additive effect that makes you feel very sleepy and tired. both medications impact the brain in a way that increases drowsiness.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between naltrexone and thioridazine - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.