Sustained-Release Naltrexone Formulations for the Treatment of Alcohol and Opioid Dependence

Abstract

Naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist, is effective in the treatment of alcohol and opioid dependence. An important limitation of the use of oral naltrexone is the lack of efficacy among patients who do not consistently take the medication. The advent of a sustained-release naltrexone addresses the problem of noncompliance. Naltrexone can be compounded into microcapsules that can be injected or implanted, producing a clinical response lasting from 30 days to several months. Several randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials demonstrate that sustained-release naltrexone is safe and effective for the treatment of both alcohol and opioid dependence. Sustained-release formulations of naltrexone may offer several advantages over its oral formulation with respect to medication compliance, pharmacokinetics, side effect profile and ease of use. Recently, one formulation of sustained-release naltrexone received approval from the US FDA and offers a new option for addiction treatment.