Naltrexone
An opioid blocker that, combined with bupropion, helps reduce food cravings and support medically supervised weight loss.
Plain English
Patient-Friendly Explanation
Naltrexone is a medication originally used for addiction treatment that also helps with weight loss when combined with bupropion. It works by reducing food cravings and the reward-driven urge to eat, making it easier to stick to a healthy eating plan.
Medical
Clinical Definition
Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist that, at low doses (8-32 mg/day), modulates the mesolimbic dopamine reward pathway. When combined with bupropion — a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor — it synergistically reduces food cravings and appetite by activating hypothalamic POMC neurons while blocking auto-inhibitory opioid feedback, producing clinically meaningful weight loss of 5-10% of body weight over 56 weeks.
Key Insight
Why It Matters
For patients who struggle with food cravings and emotional eating, naltrexone-containing therapies offer a medical option to regain control. Our clinic can assess whether naltrexone-based treatment is appropriate for your weight management plan.
Sources
Reviewed against standard medical references.
Medically reviewed by
Family Physician & Registered Acupuncturist, Accord Medical Clinic. MBBS (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture (Singapore College of TCM).
Last reviewed: August 2026
This page is general health education, not medical advice. Whether any treatment is appropriate for you is a decision made in consultation after assessment.