Naltrexone for alcohol-dependent patients.
BACKGROUND
Clinical trials have shown that naltrexone 50 mg/day reduces alcohol consumption and relapse rates in alcohol dependents.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy of 50mg/day dose of naltrexone in the maintenance of alcohol-dependent subjects over a 36-week treatment period.


METHODS
Subjects were randomised into two equal groups, consisting of 116 male alcohol-dependent patients who met the DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence and were seeking treatment. The participants received naltrexone or placebo at a dose of 50 mg/day and were treated in an outpatient clinic, offering a weekly 0.5-hour individual counselling session. Days retained in treatment were measured.


RESULTS
Forty-one participants (35.3%) completed the 36-week study. Completion rates by group were 44.8% for the 50 mg naltrexone group and 25.9% for the placebo group (chi2=4.56, DF=1, 2-sided significance=0.033).


CONCLUSIONS
The results support the efficacy and safety of naltrexone for outpatient treatment of alcohol-dependent individuals in Iran.
Ahmadi
J
J
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Fars Province, Iran. jamshid-ahmadi@yahoo.com
Babaeebeigi
M
M
Maany
I
I
Porter
J
J
Mohagheghzadeh
M
M
Ahmadi
N
N
Dehbozorgi
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone
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