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Evidence summaries

Sustained-Release Naltrexone For Opioid Dependence

There is insufficient evidence to evaluate the effectiveness of sustained-release naltrexone for treatment of opioid dependence. Level of evidence: "D"

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 1 trial (n=60) for effectiveness and 17 trials (6 RCTs) for adverse events. 2 dosages of high-dose naltrexone depot injections (384 mg) significantly increased days in treatment compared to placebo (WMD 21.00, 95% CI 10.68 to 31.32, p<0.0001). High-dose compared to low-dose (192mg) significantly increased days in treatment (WMD 12.00, 95% CI 1.69 to 22.31, p=0.02). Number of patients retained in treatment did not show significant differences between groups. Side effects were significantly more frequent in naltrexone depot groups compared to placebo. In alcohol dependent samples only, adverse effects appeared to be more frequent in the low-dose naltrexone depot groups compared to placebo (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.36). In the opioid dependent sample, group differences were not statistically significant. Reports on systematic assessment of side effects and adverse events were scarce.

    References

    • Lobmaier P, Kornør H, Kunøe N, Bjørndal A. Sustained-release naltrexone for opioid dependence. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2008 Apr 16;(2):CD006140. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords