Clinical uses of naltrexone: a review of the evidence.
The implication of the opioidergic system in the pathogenesis of various substance use disorders has led to renewed interest in expanding the clinical uses of naltrexone, an opioid antagonist. This article examines the evidence for the efficacy of naltrexone in a variety of substance use and psychiatric disorders. Naltrexone can be an effective treatment for alcohol and opioid dependence if issues of compliance are adequately addressed. Thus far, no definitive role has been found for naltrexone in the treatment of other psychiatric disorders. Further research needs to be done in self-injurious behavior, gambling, cocaine, and nicotine dependence.
Modesto-Lowe
Vania
V
Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington 06030-2103, USA. modesto@neuron.uchc.edu
Van Kirk
Jeffrey
J
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D000818:Animals; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone