American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Practice Exam 2026 - Free ABFM Practice Questions and Study Guide

Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist commonly used in the treatment of alcohol dependence, and it can also affect the metabolism and effect of certain pain medications. When considering pain relief for a patient on naltrexone, the choice of medication becomes crucial, as naltrexone can block the effects of traditional opioids.

Ketorolac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that does not interact with the opioid receptors blocked by naltrexone. It is effective for managing moderate to severe pain without the risk of antagonizing opioid effects, allowing it to be a suitable choice for pain management in this context.

On the other hand, opioids like fentanyl, hydromorphone, and morphine would be ineffective for pain relief in a patient taking naltrexone, since naltrexone would block their analgesic effects due to its mechanism of action on the opioid receptors. Therefore, selecting ketorolac is the most appropriate and effective option for managing pain in a patient who is on naltrexone for alcohol dependence.