High-dose naltrexone and liver function safety.
Studies have found naltrexone useful in the treatment of diseases other than opiate addiction in which endogenous opioids presumably play a role, such as alcoholism and eating disorders. Some of these studies involve high doses (100-200 mg bid). Because investigational studies with high doses (300 mg/day) reported clinically significant increases in liver enzyme levels, the authors measured a spectrum of liver function parameters in response to high doses of naltrexone in a double-blind, crossover trial (100 mg bid) followed by an open-label period (200 mg bid). They observed no adverse clinical or laboratory changes in liver function in association with high-dose naltrexone therapy in eating disorders.
Marrazzi
M A
MA
Department of Psychiatry, Harper-Grace Hospitals, Detroit, MI, USA.
Wroblewski
J M
JM
Kinzie
J
J
Luby
E D
ED
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000187:drug effects; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000187:drug effects; D002032:Bulimia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase