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Naltrexone: Not Just for Opioids Anymore

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Abstract

Naltrexone is a semi-synthetic opioid with competitive antagonist activity at mu opioid receptors. Its efficacy has been demonstrated in the treatment of alcohol and opioid dependence, but adherence to daily dosing has been recognized as a factor limiting long-term effectiveness. Recently, a long-acting injectable formulation of naltrexone has received FDA-approval for treating alcohol and opioid dependence. This article reviews the pharmacology of naltrexone, the current evidence supporting the use of extended-release naltrexone, and the clinical challenges in the induction of patients to this medication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oregon Health and Science University, Pathways Northwest, Philomath, OR, USA

    Daniel Sudakin

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  1. Daniel Sudakin
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Correspondence to Daniel Sudakin.

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Sudakin, D. Naltrexone: Not Just for Opioids Anymore. J. Med. Toxicol. 12, 71–75 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-015-0512-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-015-0512-x

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