title: Naltrexone implants after in-patient treatment for opioid dependence: randomised controlled trial.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research, Kirkeveien 166, Oslo NO-0407, Norway. nikolaj.kunoe@medisin.uio.no
authors.forename: Nikolaj
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kunøe
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lobmaier
authors.forename: John Kåre
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Vederhus
authors.forename: Bjørg
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hjerkinn
authors.forename: Solfrid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hegstad
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gossop
authors.forename: Øistein
authors.initials: Ø
authors.lastname: Kristensen
authors.forename: Helge
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Waal
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004343:Drug Implants; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone