Naltrexone: a review of existing sustained drug delivery systems and emerging nano-based systems.
Narcotic antagonists such as naltrexone (NTX) have shown some efficiency in the treatment of both opiate addiction and alcohol dependence. A few review articles have focused on clinical findings and pharmacogenetics of NTX, advantages and limitations of sustained release systems as well as pharmacological studies of NTX depot formulations for the treatment of alcohol and opioid dependency. To date, three NTX implant systems have been developed and tested in humans. In this review, we summarize the latest clinical data on commercially available injectable and implantable NTX-sustained release systems and discuss their safety and tolerability aspects. Emphasis is also laid on recent developments in the area of nanodrug delivery such as NTX-loaded micelles and nanogels as well as related research avenues. Due to their ability to increase the therapeutic index and to improve the selectivity of drugs (targeted delivery), nanodrug delivery systems are considered as promising sustainable drug carriers for NTX in addressing opiate and alcohol dependence.
ANDI Centre of Excellence for Biomedical and Biomaterials Research, MSIRI Building, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius.
Nowsheen
N
Goonoo
ANDI Centre of Excellence for Biomedical and Biomaterials Research, MSIRI Building, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius.
Archana
A
Bhaw-Luximon
ANDI Centre of Excellence for Biomedical and Biomaterials Research, MSIRI Building, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius.
Reetesh
R
Ujoodha
Dept. of Medicine, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius.
Anil
A
Jhugroo
School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, The University of Western Australia, M521, D Block, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.
Gary K
GK
Hulse
ANDI Centre of Excellence for Biomedical and Biomaterials Research, MSIRI Building, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius. Electronic address: djhurry@uom.ac.mu.
Dhanjay
D
Jhurry
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D065546:Drug Liberation; D006801:Humans; D008823:Micelles; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D008823:Micelles; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone
Naltrexone; Naltrexone sustained release formulations and safety; Naltrexone-loaded nanocarriers and nanogels