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A closer look at the facts shows that Declinol isn’t a supplement substitute for clinically-proven naltrexone when you’re trying to curb alcohol cravings and reduce drinking.
What You’ll Learn:
- What Declinol is and what it does in the body.
- The history of Declinol use
- The ingredients in Declinol
- How Declinol compares to naltrexone for alcohol use disorder.
- Mechanisms for Declinol that can discourage drinking
- Biological response in the brain when taking naltrexone
- If Declinol is an effective alcohol treatment.
- Clinical research considerations
- If Declinol is safe and the potential side effects.
- Declinol side effects
- Naltrexone side effects
- Differences in FDA-approval and regulation
- Risk factors for unregulated Declinol
- Availability of Declinol vs naltrexone
- Where Declinol can be purchased
- How to obtain a naltrexone prescription
- Cost and health insurance coverage for Declinol and naltrexone
Now that more people are focused on reducing their alcohol consumption there are a lot more supplements on the market that claim to curb alcohol cravings. Is it just marketing hype, or could some of these supplements actually work? And do they work as well as the clinically-tested prescription medication naltrexone?
Declinol is one of the herbal supplements that is being marketed as an anti-alcohol solution. At first glance it may seem like Declinol is a good supplement substitute for naltrexone, but when you look at the details it’s clear that Declinol is far from a sure thing.
What is Declinol Exactly?
Declinol is an herbal supplement with origins in China. One of its primary ingredients, kudzu, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries for numerous purposes, including alcohol use. However, Declinol wasn’t developed until 2012 and became available for purchase in 2013.
Declinol contains a combination of various herbs that are ingested via a capsule or spray. The supplement contains vitamins and plant-based nutrients that are aimed at discouraging alcohol use.
Declinol Ingredients
Declinol contains a blend of herbs that include:
Kudzu Root - Herb used in Chinese medicine that contains daidzin.
Gentian - A plant with extremely bitter roots.
Tangerine Peel - The peel of a tangerine that has been aged and dried.
Bupleurum - A perennial plant that’s been used to reduce inflammation and support liver health.
Declinol vs Naltrexone: How the Supplement Compares to the Prescription
The big question is whether Declinol is as effective at curbing alcohol cravings and treating AUD as naltrexone. There are different mechanisms at play and very different reasons behind how they work. For many people, even if Declinol does work, it isn’t the ideal solution.
Declinol - Adverse Reaction
Declinol primarily works by making the drinking experience very unpleasant instead of enjoyable.
It’s believed that the daidzin in kudzu inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH-2) which then leads to an increase in acetaldehyde when consuming alcohol. Acetaldehyde is a toxic byproduct that is naturally produced in the body when alcohol is consumed. A buildup of acetaldehyde can cause negative reactions like nausea and headaches.
The tangerine peel and gentian are bitter herbs that activate bitter taste receptors. It’s thought that the unpleasant taste they create can discourage alcohol consumption.
The bupleurum may have an effect on epinephrine and dopamine, however, it’s primarily used to help detoxify the liver and improve its function.
Naltrexone - Dopamine Reduction/Reward System Alteration
Naltrexone is an opioid receptor inhibitor that works by eliminating the feel good effects of alcohol. When naltrexone is taken shortly before drinking alcohol it binds to opioid receptors and stops the release of dopamine that creates the feel good buzz. You don’t get the rewarding effects of alcohol so the brain’s reward pathways change and you don’t crave alcohol anymore.
It’s a very clear connection that has been proven repeatedly and also works for treating opioid use disorder through the same means.
Very Limited Research vs Numerous Studies Over Decades
There’s a big divide between Declinol and naltrexone when it comes to clinical studies to prove efficacy and safety. The pilot study that is often cited for Declinol is from 2013. More importantly, there was a serious conflict of interest that has been noted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The lead research of the study, Steve Kushner, had a minority interest in Declinol, LLC.
In other words, one primary study showing Declinol could be effective was conducted by someone with a vested interest financially. In these cases, extreme caution is used when analyzing the results since they could be skewed to be more favorable than they actually are.
This is why numerous clinical research studies by various groups over the course of years is a much better benchmark for efficacy.
Another factor that has to be considered is that the limited number of studies on the ingredients contained in Declinol were performed on animals, not humans.
Declinol vs Naltrexone: Safety and Potential Side Effects
Naltrexone is considered the gold standard for treating alcohol use disorder, not just because it’s highly effective. It’s also proven to be extremely safe for most people, and naltrexone side effects are rare and usually short lived.
Something that is unique with Declinol is the unpleasant side effects are intentional. Taking it on its own without alcohol could have adverse effects, but it’s designed to create a negative response when drinking.
Common Declinol Side Effects
- Nausea
- Upset Stomach
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Cramps
- Diarrhea
Common Naltrexone Side Effects
- Nausea
- Agitation
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Abdominal Pain
- Dizziness
- Appetite Loss
Safety Considerations With Declinol and Naltrexone
Because naltrexone is a prescription medication, it had to go through numerous clinical trials to prove it is safe for human use. It’s very well tolerated by most people, and is safe to take on a daily basis for years. After more than 20 years of use, the safety has been evaluated repeatedly to ensure there are no negative consequences from long-term use.
Declinol, on the other hand, is a dietary supplement that isn’t FDA regulated. That means it isn’t approved to treat alcohol use disorder based on efficacy and safety. It’s not even monitored to ensure the ingredients are accurate and pure. With non-regulated supplements, there’s no 100% certainty of what you’re taking.
Declinol vs Naltrexone: Availability and Accessibility
Because Declinol is an unregulated herbal supplement and naltrexone is a prescription medication, availability is very different.
Where Declinol Can Be Purchased and Its Cost
Declinol can be purchased online from Amazon, supplement retailers or the manufacturer’s website. It may be easy to get online, but the cost can limit accessibility for many people. It varies depending on the retailer, but it can be up to $90+ for a month's supply.
And because it isn’t an FDA-approved prescription, it won’t be covered at all by health insurance.
How to Receive a Naltrexone Prescription and Cost Considerations
Naltrexone is a proven prescription medication that has been shown to be highly effective when used as prescribed. Today, it’s much easier to get a naltrexone prescription online through a trusted telehealth platform like Choose Your Horizon. Clinicians perform virtual assessments and medical history reviews to ensure naltrexone is appropriate for use, then the medication is shipped right to the patient’s home.
Naltrexone costs approximately $50-85 a month and includes virtual clinician visits, however, insurance coverage is possible for many patients.
Getting a life-changing naltrexone prescription is simple with Choose Your Horizon. Start by taking our online Alcohol Use Assessment. It only takes a few minutes and will allow you to schedule an appointment with a clinician. Within a matter of days you can receive a prescription and have the medication in hand.
