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selincro/nalmefene and alcohol

Posted , 71 users are following.

jan12
jan12

I drink between 1 and 2 bottles of wine a night. Took my first selincro tablet yesterday afternoon and genuinely didn't feel like I wanted any booze, not sure whether this is psychological or not but who cares, it seems to work. Unfortunately I took the tablet when picking my daughter up from school as I didn't see anywhere that they cause drowsiness so I drove home feeling really spaced out, not good, in fact probably more dangerous than driving after a couple of glasses of wine. I virtually had no sleep last night also. Is anyone else having similar problems?

12 likes, 404 replies

404 Replies

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  • christian26980
    christian26980 jan12

    Posted

    I received a private message from a DJ (I think) from Radio 5 live about 4 days ago asking me if I'd like to take part in a discussion about Selincro which was weird because I've never used it .... apparently the chat happened between 12:05 and 12:30 if they have a catch up service online and if anyone wants to listen to it.
    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 christian26980

      Posted

      Christian, I think that they sent the message to quite a few of us in this alcohol discussion forum. Although I haven't taken Nalmefene, myself, I am going to be on the show as an alcohol treatment practitioner to give my views. The programme was postponed and I just had a call from the producer who is planning to do it on 15th December now smile
  • christian26980
    christian26980 jan12

    Posted

    Sorry, correction: that was 3:05 to 3:20 on the 1st of December.
  • erica_88480
    erica_88480 jan12

    Posted

    how do you get a perscription for meds like this? What type of doctor?
    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 erica_88480

      Posted

      It is available on the NHS from any GP, Erica. The issue with it is that it is recommended only with 'psycho-social support' and it is probably expected that this would come from the local community drug and alcohol team. These teams are already stretched with limited resources and don't have the capacity to take on a load more patients. It is therefore a bit of a postcode lottery as to whether you can get it or not.
    • judy33152
      judy33152 PaulJTurner1964

      Posted

      I am really pleased that I found this discussion forum. I am going to my G.P today to see if I can be prescribed this medication. I will update you with the outcome and if sucessful will definitely update everyone. It is so nice to know that there are people out there in a similar situation.
  • e63196
    e63196 jan12

    Posted

    Following on from my previous message (9 days ago) when I thought I would give up Nalmefene because of the intolerable side effects, I decided to give it another go.  This time I took just 1/3 of a tablet (the smallest I could manage to divide it).  And I was astonished that such a small amount actually worked.  I lost all cravings for alcohol and no nausea or dizziness.  The only thing that bothered me was poor sleep, a kind of dozing all night with strange dreams.  Also my stomach felt bloated and I did not fancy food much.  But I am sure I will be able to manage that, especially since many comments suggest that the body will get used to this medication.  I now have had two days of drinking (weekend) and the rest of the week I have taken 1/3 of the tablet each evening to stay off alcohol.  I think Nalmefene may be my saviour after all.  Good luck to everyone.  Ed
    • timbooz
      timbooz e63196

      Posted

      I'm curious if you're still satisfied with your 1/3 tablet approach? If so I might try it.
    • Bigbee
      Bigbee e63196

      Posted

      Hi Jan

      If you see my postings on here ,I have taken a third twice and had very bad diarrhea for hours and felt really ill. None of these side effects are the " normal " ones Have you not had any baf effects?

      Paul suggests the pills shouldnt have their film broken

  • bunter492
    bunter492 jan12

    Posted

    Been through most of the side effects mentioned. I had similar side effects with SSRI antidepressants - so I knew they would pass.  I got my first batch privately through pharmacy2u I think. They side step the "support" issue by referring you to an online support system. So I dont see why doctors should object
  • bunter492
    bunter492 jan12

    Posted

    I meant to add that they are around £3.70 per tablet on a Private Prescription so I now get through NHS. Once you settle, I think they work really well. I dont feel the need to take one every day and if I am going out then I make sure I have not had one for a couple of days. I find my drinking is moderated although still enjoyable. I feel the he risk is there that I will drink too many (once started) but I generally stop without problem after 8 units or so
  • Bigbee
    Bigbee jan12

    Posted

    Newbie ,my doctor wouldnt precribe them so I got some off Medical Specialist on line.I was hesitant to take them after rwading about side effects. I'd had about four cans of lager on Wednesday and then decided to take a third of a table( bit a bit off) I know you are supposed to take it before drinking.After about half an hour I had terrible stomach ache , then after that I had to go to the loo as the heavens opened. Id never experienced any thing like it and it appearded to go on for hours until there could possiblly be nothing left.I was left so ill I didnt go into work yesterday.I didnt take a tablet yesterday but drank 4 cans of lager .Has any one else ever experienced what I went through or why it may of happened?Im reluctant to take any more ,but my marriage relies on me stopping or almost stopping drinking ,help please !
    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 Bigbee

      Posted

      Bigbee, people say that their side effects wear off after taking Nalmefene for about a week (daily). It seems a bad idea to take one for the first time for a night out, or particularly once you have already had a drink.

      I am going to raise the issue of side effects with Dr David Collier who did the clinical trials of Nalmefene, on Radio 5 Live on Monday afternoon (3pm to 3.30pm). The show will be on iPlayer after it has been broadcast so it may be worth listening to see what Dr Collier has to say about it.

      I should also add that, while there are some very trustworthy practitioners online who can offer private treatment, there are others whose most important question in their assessment is 'What are your credit or debit card details?' These companies are unsafe to buy drugs from. They are not properly regulated and should be avoided at all costs. You can't even guarantee that you are getting what you order.

    • janz70
      janz70 PaulJTurner1964

      Posted

      Hi Paul, "I was out of it" the 1st time I took Nalmefene,, this time I have ony taken 1/2 a tab and it woked well with little side effects and still had the curbing effect. I have tried this after having my ffrst full tab, i would not recomend anybody going anywhere or doing anything as I was completey out of it , stoned if you will!

      When you suggest taking them for 7 days to allow the body to ,do you recomend drinking with them as well (even just a few) to reinforce the negative effect of alcohol

    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 janz70

      Posted

      Yes Janz, better to only take a pill before you drink. I have to mention that Nalmefene is enteric coated so shouldn't be split but I have no desire to tell to stop doing something that works. It may be a good idea to try and get naltrexone prescribed instead as people report fewer and less severe side effects. They can also be split in half without an issue.

    • janz70
      janz70 PaulJTurner1964

      Posted

      H Paul, If only I could it would have saved me a lot ofmoney but you know what the NHS is like so I had to get a private perscription.

      I tried my GP, they said only alcohol support can issue, so the next day I saw my alcohol support worker and they said it was to be trialed then it never happened ad they only perscribe for abstinance.

      Everyone passing the buck as they dont want to pick up the bill due to gov cutbacks

    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 janz70

      Posted

      The bill for naltrexone is much smaller. The issue is that, unlike nalmefene, it is licenced for use with abstinence, which is nonsense because that doesn't work.

    • LondonIan
      LondonIan PaulJTurner1964

      Posted

      They have no problem at all prescibing Naltrexone in Wandsworth.  You do have to go to alcohol counselling services.  There are a couple hoops but then you can get Naltrexone and see the key worker every couple weeks.

      They do prescribe it as the label indicates - take a pill every day and abstain.  That doesn't mean you have to take it that way.  You can choose to follow TSM if you want.

    • nicko70915
      nicko70915 PaulJTurner1964

      Posted

      Hi Paul, are you able to recommend someone online. Don't want to go through go and worried about being ripped off.

    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 nicko70915

      Posted

      I can't, unfortunately. This site doesn't allow such things. However, you should be aware that most reputable clinicians would not simply send a prescription, they would need to see you and offer a full package of care including the ongoing support. They risk their licence if they don't as naltrexone is licenced for use with abstinence in the UK which means it needs to be prescribed 'off-licence' (unfortunate term in the circumstances!). It is perfectly legal and acceptable to prescribe off licence and and many drugs are prescribed this way, but the prescriber has to be able to justify it, if ever asked questions.

       

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