A name still seen in older guidance
ReVia is a brand of oral naltrexone
ReVia was a US brand of naltrexone hydrochloride 50 mg tablets. The brand is historical in the United States, but the name still appears in labels, studies, guidelines, and conversations about oral naltrexone.
If a paper or clinician says “ReVia”
They are referring to a branded oral naltrexone product, not a different active drug. A current generic 50 mg tablet may contain the same active ingredient and meet the relevant regulator's approval standard, but the labeler, inactive ingredients, appearance, packaging, and current market status can differ.
That distinction sounds small until someone is checking an allergy, identifying a loose tablet, or trying to fill a prescription in another country. Use the exact name on the current prescription and pack rather than assuming every oral product is literally identical.
Why the name persists
A short US history
Enough context to read older sources without turning a brand timeline into treatment advice.
1984
Original opioid-dependence approval
The US oral product was first approved under the Trexan name for opioid dependence.
1994
Alcohol-dependence indication
The product later carried the ReVia name as naltrexone use expanded to alcohol dependence.
1998 onward
Generic oral products
FDA approvals allowed other labelers to market naltrexone hydrochloride tablets that met the applicable generic standard.
Today
Check the live product, not the old name
ReVia remains a useful historical reference. Current products and supply must be checked in the relevant country and pharmacy.
Three names that should not be used interchangeably
| What it is | Why the distinction matters | |
|---|---|---|
| ReVia | Historical brand of oral naltrexone 50 mg | Older US brand evidence; not proof that a ReVia pack is marketed locally today |
| Vivitrol | Extended-release naltrexone injection | Different formulation, administration, indications, and injection-specific risks |
| Contrave | Naltrexone plus bupropion extended-release tablets | Weight-management product with bupropion-specific warnings; not addiction-treatment naltrexone |
ReVia questions that still come up
Can I ask a pharmacy for ReVia?
You can use the name to explain what you mean, but the pharmacy may stock a generic oral naltrexone product instead. Current supply has to be checked locally.
Does ReVia mean the monthly injection?
No. ReVia refers to an oral tablet. Vivitrol is an extended-release injection administered by a healthcare professional.
Can an old ReVia dosing schedule be followed today?
Do not turn a historical label or trial schedule into a personal plan. The clinician should use the current local product information and assess recent opioids, liver health, other medicines, and the treatment goal.
Why does ReVia still appear in studies?
Research papers normally name the product used at the time. That preserves the study record, even after a brand leaves a market or generic products become more common.
Sources
- FDA ReVia prescribing information (historical label)
Historical 50 mg product description, indications, and trial summaries.
- DailyMed search: current US naltrexone tablet labels
Use the individual live record to identify a current labeler and presentation.
Look for the formulation, not only the familiar brand
Compare oral tablets, extended-release injection, and naltrexone-containing combinations before checking what is actually supplied in your country.
Content and sources reviewed