Okay, script came from River today, took less than two weeks. My question is, can I simply take Nal everyday at lunch. I am self employed, and my work hours vary. The only thing consistent is that I buy beer at the first store I come across after work. So If I took it everyday at lunch, would it have less efficacy at 5 pm? I do not want to risk missing the dose, so I would prefer a routine. Noon would be safe. Some days I am done by 1pm, others I am done at 5pm.

Guess I will start tomorrow. Plan to start with just 12.5 mgs, and titrate up to 50 mgs over a couple weeks.

If this is the best way for you, then do it. I used to take my Nal mid morning since my first cravings would hit around lunch time, often I didn't drink until much later but it still worked. Half life of Naltrexone is said to be 4 hours - and it's effect can last up to 24 hours. So your time scale of 1pm and drinking at 5pm looks absolutely fine. I have personally added another dose later on in the day if the lapse is say 8 hours just to be sure, but that's something I'd leave until you have more experience with the med.

Some people start at 12.5 and find they can go up to 25 then 50mgs within a few drinking sessions - perhaps over a week or so. I don't think it's as drawn out a titration as benzos, or say baclofen but that's only my opinion based upon my experience and what I've seen others do.

It's hard to say what timing works best because we all have such different metabolisms. But being consistent is a huge plus. AS UK said, if you are drinking later in the evening you might go for a second dose.

Welcome to the group and best of luck!

Hey Brier,

It should be *at least* one hour before - lunch is just fine. Of course, it wears off after some 9 hours or so, so as other have said a second dose can be worthwhile - that's sometimes helpful for me. You'll find the pattern that works for you anyway

Take care, and hope it goes well.

It depends how sensitive you are to drugs and how fast you metabolize them. For me personally, nal is at its most effective levels within 1-4 hours after taking it. If I take nal and drink 8 hours later it does almost nothing (and pretty much nothing as well if I take nal, and keep drinking for a long 8+ hour bender...those are thankfully rare these days
A routine is good, but I try and go a bit closer to your drinking time than five full hours before to give yourself the best chance of success.