March 29, 2004
Naltrexone
Naltrexone is a pharmaceutical drug,
also referred to by its brand name, ReVia, or abbreviated as Nal, which was approved by the FDA in 1995:
Naltrexone offers new hope for preventing relapse in many of the more than 1 million Americans treated each year for the disease. Of treated patients, approximately 50 percent relapse within the first few months of treatment.
“While not a ‘magic bullet,’ naltrexone promises to help many patients in their struggle against a chronic relapsing disease. Identification of this pharmacologic treatment builds momentum to elucidate the myriad, complex brain mechanisms of alcohol addiction,” said NIAAA Director Enoch Gordis, M.D.
Separate NIAAA-supported, 3-month trials conducted by Joseph Volpicelli, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania and Stephanie O’Malley, Ph.D., and colleagues at Yale reported in 1992 that naltrexone helped to prevent early return to heavy drinking in a significant proportion of treated patients. In addition, patients who received naltrexone reported less alcohol craving and fewer drinking days than patients given a placebo.
Both NIAAA-supported studies were conducted in conjunction with psychosocial treatments.
Medline Plus offers basic info:
Naltrexone is used to help people who have a narcotic or alcohol addiction stay drug free. Naltrexone is used after the patient has stopped taking drugs or alcohol. It works by blocking the effects of narcotics or by decreasing the craving for alcohol.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Dr. Alex DeLuca points to evidence that it may support problem drinkers as well:
[T]here is a body of research on the use of naltrexone specifically as an aid to controlled drinking. Instead of taking the medication every day, this research suggests that people carry Nal with them at all times, and take a pill before entering into a drinking situation, or whenever craving for alcohol occurs. This ends up being a lot cheaper, as you are not taking it every day.
Dr. DeLuca’s site includes a Naltrexone FAQ page with links to background information and evidence.
Researchers are studying the effectiveness of injectable forms of Naltrexone. One study, which tested a product branded Vivitrex, has reported promising results, but in men only, with an injection which lasts 30 days:
A study of 600 men and women found that [Vivitrex] reduced heavy drinking among men by nearly 50 percent compared to a placebo.
But the Naltrexone injection had no effect on women. Researchers are conducting a larger study to determine why.
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