title: Naltrexone in patients with bipolar disorder and alcohol dependence.
abstract: Bipolar disorder is associated with very high rates of substance abuse. However, few clinical trials are reported in this population. Naltrexone is effective for alcohol dependence, but its safety and efficacy are not established in patients with bipolar disorder and alcohol dependence. A 16-week, open-label, add-on pilot study of naltrexone was conducted in 34 outpatients with bipolar disorder and alcohol dependence. Assessments included the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-17), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and an alcohol craving scale. Alcohol use was quantified. Significant improvement was observed in the HRSD-17 and YMRS, and days of alcohol use and craving decreased significantly. Naltrexone was well tolerated. Controlled trials are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA. sherwood.brown@utsouthwestern.edu
authors.forename: E Sherwood
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Beard
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dobbs
authors.forename: A John
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Rush
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D009271:Naltrexone