Yeah, nalmefene is primarily processed by the pancreas. It could be a better option for someone with substantial liver damage.

I hadn't heard that it was supposed to have fewer side effects. I guess time will tell.

I have now had 5 days in a row of taking nalmefene and I think the side effects have more or less gone although possibly still feeling a bit spaced out but that could just be normal tiredness. After reading all your replies I think I am going to commit to taking nalmefene for either 3 or 6 months, not sure which yet. I haven't noticed any difference yet as far as my drinking is concerned but I'm thinking it is early days. I also haven't been in a situation yet where I have been really tested.
Out of interest does anyone know if naltrexone is available in the UK?
Thanks everyone and good luck to all of us!

glad to hear your SE's are lessening

I'm in the UK & am taking Naltrexone - you can get it here:

http://goldpharma.com/search/naltrexone/lang/ENGLISH/

-badger

Thank you Badger - I had PM'd Deb and said that you were taking Nal and were in UK

hugs, Maggie

If you link into.....http://optionssavelives.freeforums.net/ and speak to Joanna. She has info on where you can get it in the UK.

I have had 2 very different experiences with doctors in the UK this week.
I went to see my GP and explained that I had ordered namelfene privately, had taken it for 2 weeks and wanted to continue, but was hoping she would provide it on the NHS for me. She was very supportive and prescribed it for one month and said I should come back then. She also referred me for counselling at another surgery that run a clinic for alcohol dependency. When I went there I was assessed and spoke to both a counsellor and doctor. They were also supportive but, not at all keen on namelfene. The doctor actually said that it wasn’t available on the NHS (!). However what I am most surprised about is that both the counsellor and doctor said that what they recommend as treatment for alcohol dependence is starting off with 3 months abstinence! Well, I really didn’t know what to say! If I could simply not drink from today for 3 months then I wouldn’t feel I had a problem. It is because I can’t not drink for a week never mind 3 months that I am looking for help. I am grateful to my GP for the prescription and just hoping namelfene will help me, 2 weeks in I haven’t really noticed any difference but I will keep going.
Any idea why the counsellor/doctor would be so anti this method?
thanks

hi Debs,

I suspect it's probably just lack of awareness. Nalmefene is *very* new on the NHS, it's only been available for a few months in England, so the information is probably taking a while to get out there

it's rather odd that your GP was supportive - well done her! - but your local Alcohol team weren't. I wonder whether they have the entrenched, traditional views of alcoholism - once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic, alcoholics can never drink safely again, etc. - & the idea of taking Nal *& drinking* is a bit radical for them still. as you say, them expecting an initial 3 months' abstinence is a bit unrealistic - if we could do that we wouldn't be coming to them for help in the first place!

anyway, it's great that your GP was able to help you & prescribe the Nal. good luck with it, two weeks is a little soon to be expecting to see any major results, but they'll come with time

-badger