Maintenance treatment with depot opioid antagonists in subcutaneous implants: an alternative in the treatment of opioid dependence.
A report is presented of treatment of 156 patients (male 98%) with opioid dependence (ICD-10 criteria) using a maintenance programme with depot opioid antagonists (naltrexone) as subcutaneous implants, started after an outpatient rapid antagonization regimen. The retention index in the treatment was from 80% in the sixth month, and 65% after one year. The patients were followed-up for 1 year after discharge. For 6 months after discharge 55.4% were still returning for follow-up visits and 20.8% after 1 year, all of them remaining abstinent to opioids. It is concluded that the programme is safe for the patients and shows a better retention index than programmes using oral antagonists, with an improved compliance (negative urine analysis) compared to the latter.
Carreño
J E
JE
Clínica Médico Psicológica Asturias, C/Astrurias, 8 - 5a planta, 33206, Gijón, Spain. cmedico@telecable.es
Alvarez
C E
CE
Narciso
G I San
GI
Bascarán
M T
MT
Díaz
M
M
Bobes
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001682:Biological Availability; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004343:Drug Implants; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008691:Methadone; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011292:Premedication; D011613:Psychotherapy; D013030:Spain; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004343:Drug Implants; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone; D008691:Methadone