The Cure for Alcoholism: The Medically Proven Way to Eliminate Alcohol Addiction book and TSM state that there are no or very little side effects but from my experience and reading others posts on this site,it appears many have some sort of side effects. I am not trying to scare any newbies as they may not have any side effects at all but as I say from what I have been reading some people are giving up in the first week or so without even giving Nal a chance. I am just writing this in hopes that others don't have to go through side effects feeling alone and know that they do diminish in days or weeks.
I am only on week 4 and of course I am not an expert by any means but my suggestion would be as follows.
If taking Naltrexone I would ease your system into taking this by starting with 12.5 mg for a few days, then upping to 25 mg for a few days and finally taking 50 mg. I would also say to take with food and lots of water at first which can help with any nausea (Nalmefene, cannot be split up). I actually cannot even take my vitamins on an empty stomach or I will be sick.
OK just my 2 cents but hopefully that helps some people new to TSM.

Very good post Cheeto,

Yes there are side effects, but compared to alcohol or other medications available, for instance I'd tried baclofen before starting TSM and if you want to know about side effects - well that med makes TSM feel(for me) like a walk in the park.

I found most TSM side effects could be used as a reason to not drink, and speed up the process by increasing awareness of choice.

I'd also agree that by cutting the dose by half or into quarters can help those who suffer, and it's been reported here that it doesn't take very long to overcome those side effects.

cheeto

Good post

Ukblond I agree, I also tried Baclofen (bac) before TSM. There is no comparison, bac certainly is not for the faint hearted.

Regarding Naltrexone/Nalmefene side effects, they can be bad but in my experience lasted no more than four days. When I had SE I did find some comfort that I knew the stuff was working, so although I felt nauseous and had flu like symptoms it was a small price to pay and did pass.

I'm with you guys about Baclofen and it's horrible side effects.I actually read about Bac before I found out about TSM so I was on Bac for about 5 days and actually had taken my last Bac the morning I got my Nal and took that in the afternoon so no wonder I felt like you know what that day combining both, such a horrific day of side effects.
I started out with 50 mg for 2 days but felt very nauseous, drugged, dizzy,shaky, jittery and anxious.
So went down to 12.5 mg for 6 days and could have upped it before that but I had so many things to do that I couldn't chance feeling sick. Then I upped it again to 25 mg for 3 days and found only the first day I was a little nauseous on this amount. Since that day the only side effects I really have is feeling tired after taking Nal now and drinking.
I then finally upped my dose to 50 mg on day 12 and have been on that dose ever since.

Baclofen can take several days to clear from your system. I certainly didn't find relief from baclofen until 4 days after reducing the dosage. I was lucky in that I managed to abstain until the baclofen wore off, but I seem to remember I was taking the nal on a daily basis just in case I drank.

Geez, Cheeto. I'm kinda glad you were okay.

Good post Cheeto, I think it's better to titrate up on the Nal than to experience the SEs enough to not want to take the pill and drink. Thanks, keek

Exactly Cheeto...I realize I should have only taken the recommended .25 dose (first time and on a completely empty stomach) but I was so anxious to start, I hadn't read the instructions in depth. I just kept thinking "one pill an hour before" (and I wanted a glass of wine, shocker I know) so I just took it as soon as I got the prescription filled. Totally my bad...I am certainly not giving up. I liked this post very much because I have been thinking maybe I just can't take this medication, the side effect was just yuck. I'm so glad you wrote this. I too get the same feeling if I take vitamins on an empty stomach. I didn't know how to explain it until I read your line about not being able to stomach vitamins on an empty stomach....I thought EXACTLY me too!! Dizzy, anxious, shaky, nauseous...Now I know I'm starting with 12.5 tonight and will ease into a full dose slowly and never on an empty stomach! Thanks again for the encouragement and advice
Robyn

So glad to help you out Robynbythesea as I took the 50 mg the first day and it was like I was on acid or something. I am so glad I was at home cause I felt so drugged, agitated, nauseous, dizzy, shaky and couldn't fathom ever taking Nal again. It was so much better for me to continue on cutting the nal down to 12.5 mg and then slowly upping it to 25 mg and then finally 50 mg. Now when I take Nal+Drink I may get a little tired but really don't feel any different at all. I made a spread sheet and I keep track daily of mg (which I always take 50 mg now), how many drinks I have, and any side effects (which I do not have anymore now) so I can look back and remind myself how TSM went for me and see my improvements.
Just keep with it, I promise it will get better.
Nal On my TSM friend!

Thanks for this . . . just starting now and all the stuff i'd been reading was scaring the crap out of me. Took half a dose and it's been half an hour and so far so good. I would ask if the side effects occur after the tablet direcly or after the tablet, one hour and first drinks -- but I guess I will find out in another half an hour or so.
Will let you know