Naltrexone implants after in-patient treatment for opioid dependence: randomised controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Naltrexone has considerable potential in helping to prevent relapse in heroin dependency. A longer-lasting formulation for naltrexone treatment is desirable to further reduce non-adherence and relapse during treatment of opiate dependence.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a 6-month naltrexone implant in reducing opioid use after in-patient treatment.


METHODS
A group of 56 abstinence-oriented patients who completed in-patient treatment for opioid dependence were randomly and openly assigned to receive either a 6-month naltrexone implant or their usual aftercare. Drug use and other outcomes were assessed at 6-month follow-up.


RESULTS
Patients receiving naltrexone had on average 45 days less heroin use and 60 days less opioid use than controls in the 180-day period (both P<0.05). Blood tests showed naltrexone levels above 1 ng/ml for the duration of 6 months. Two patients died, neither of whom had received an implant.


CONCLUSIONS
Naltrexone implant treatment safely and significantly reduces opioid use in a motivated population of patients.
Kunøe
Nikolaj
N
Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research, Kirkeveien 166, Oslo NO-0407, Norway. nikolaj.kunoe@medisin.uio.no
Lobmaier
Philipp
P
Vederhus
John Kåre
JK
Hjerkinn
Bjørg
B
Hegstad
Solfrid
S
Gossop
Michael
M
Kristensen
Øistein
Ø
Waal
Helge
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004343:Drug Implants; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009664:Norway; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D004343:Drug Implants; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone