Nalmefene

What is Nalmefene (Selincro)? 

Nalmefene (Selincro) is used for the reduction of alcohol consumption in adults with alcohol dependence who still have a high level of alcohol consumption two weeks after their first consultation with a clinician. 

A high level of alcohol consumption is defined as drinking more than 60g of pure alcohol per day for men and more than 40g of pure alcohol per day for women. For example, a bottle of wine (750 ml;12% alcohol by volume) contains approximately 70g alcohol and a bottle of beer (330ml; 5% alcohol by volume) contains approximately 13g alcohol. 

If you are alcohol-dependent, your body becomes used to large quantities of alcohol and you experience withdrawal effects if you do not drink. Nalmefene works by interfering with the processes in your brain which are responsible for your urge to drink and will help you to reduce the amount of alcohol you drink if you are not able to do this on your own. 

Nalmefene will be provided in conjunction with counselling to help you keep to your treatment and thereby reduce your alcohol consumption. Please speak to your clinic doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you would like more information about how Nalmefene works.

How to take Nalmefene (Selincro)

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure how much to take. The recommended dose is one tablet to be taken orally on days when you think there is a risk you will drink alcohol. The maximum dose is one tablet per day.

You should take the tablet one to two hours before you start drinking alcohol. Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water. Do not crush or divide the tablet because Nalmefene may cause skin sensitisation when in direct contact with the skin.

How much food to take with Nalmefene

Nalmefene can be taken with or without food. 

What if I forget to take a dose?

If you have started drinking alcohol without taking Nalmefene (Selincro), take one tablet as soon as possible.

Side effects

Nalmefene, like all other medicines, has some side effects. The most common reported side effects include nausea, dizziness, insomnia, and headache. Confusion and rarely, hallucinations (seeing, hearing or sensing things that are not there) or feeling detached from oneself have been reported. Most of these reactions were mild or moderate, associated with treatment initiation, and of short duration (a few hours to a few days).

Further information is available in the manufacturer's printed information leaflet which is inside the medication pack.

If you experience any side effects, and either they are troubling you or you develop any new symptoms after you start Nalmefene (Selincro), tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist who will tell you what to do. 

What medicines should I avoid with Nalmefene (Selincro)?

It is important to tell your doctor, nurse, and pharmacist of other medications (including over-the-counter medication) you are taking, and any new medication(s) started while you are on treatment to ensure they are compatible with Nalmefene. It is also important to inform them if you have had any previous allergic reaction(s) to medication.

Caution should be exercised when taking medicines such as the following together with Nalmefene:

• Diclofenac (anti-inflammatory medicine used to treat, for example, muscle pain)
• Fluconazole (medicine used to treat diseases caused by some types of fungus)
• Omeprazole (medicine used to block the production of acid in the stomach)
• Rifampicin (antibiotic used to treat diseases caused by some types of bacteria) 
• Phenobarbital (treatment for epilepsy)
• Dexamethasone (steroid) 
• Medicines containing opioids (such as certain types of cough and cold medicines, certain antidiarrhoeal medicines and opioid analgesics): the effects of these medicines will be reduced, or the medicines may not work at all if you take them together with Nalmefene. Also, after you stop treatment with Nalmefene, you may be less sensitive to this group of medicine for a few days.