Naltrexone for heroin addiction: encouraging results from Italy.
This report provides preliminary data regarding compliance rates of naltrexone (NTX) treatment for 99 consecutive heroin addicts. NTX was administered orally after a 3-13-day drug induction period. Fifteen out of the 99 patients who underwent naloxone challenge are still being treated (having taken NTX for less than 6 months to date). Of the 52 patients who completed the drug induction period, 22 (41.31%) showed satisfactory results (in terms of treatment compliance and/or opiate-free conditions at 6-month follow-up). The 52 patients who properly started regular NTX assumption stayed with the treatment for a mean 17.04 +/- 8.2 weeks. These results would demonstrate a higher than average success with NTX treatment of randomly selected heroin addicts with respect to the literature and would seem related to particularly favorable socio-cultural conditions in northern Italy (where the study was carried out).
Schifano
F
F
Alcoholic and Drug Addicts Advisory Clinic, Local Health Unit N. 12, Conegliano, Italy.
Marra
R
R
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000652:urine; D010349:Patient Compliance
D009294:Narcotics; D009271:Naltrexone