A therapeutic proposal: naloxone for hepatic encephalopathy.
The therapeutic role of naloxone was examined in a pilot study of 23 patients with hepatic (portal-systemic) encephalopathy. The results indicate that endogenous opioids (endorphins, enkephalins) are involved in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy. It is concluded that naloxone, a relatively pure opioid antagonist, may be an effective and well-tolerated drug for this particular pathology.
Insinna
F
F
Second Department of Medicine, Town Hospital, Palermo, Italy.
Spinnato
A
A
D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009270:Naloxone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects
D009270:Naloxone