Authors' objectives:

This study aims to provide an overview of the use of naltrexone in alcoholism treatment.

Authors' results and conclusions: Several trials were carried out in alcoholic patients using naltrexone in combination with other psycotherapeutic approaches. In these studies, the patients who took naltrexone 50 mg daily for 12 weeks experienced a reduction in the relapse rate, an increase in the time to relapse, a decrease in the percentage of intake days, the number of abundant intake days, and the number of standard consumptions per intake day.However, it is important to consider that most studies used strict selection criteria favoring a social group which was medically stable, without other comorbidities or addictions and in general not refractory to prior treatments. This makes generalization of results difficult, because the patient s profile does not necessarily represent the average alcoholic patient. These studies do not offer the necessary scientific evidence to evaluate the impact of naltrexone treatment on quality of life.On the other hand, recent clinical trials which included another type of population (men with higher mean age, with more prolonged addiction, an less socio-family support) could not confirm the favorable results found in prior studies.Similar considerations are valid for acamprosate, a taurine aminoacid derivative that would decrease the intensity of withdrawal symptoms associated with consumption situations and which increase the wish to drink (anticraving drug) The studies which compared both drugs did not find significant differences.

Authors' recommendations: We could conclude that alcoholism treatment is very complex, and the therapeutic approach must be interdisciplinary and multimodal, combining psychotherapeutic strategies with pharmacological interventions. As part of a structured program, naltrexone seems to be an effective co-adjuvant therapy, particularly for a well-selected group of patients who are highly motivated and/or with good family support.

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.iecs.org.ar/

Year Published: 2003

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Argentina

Organisation Name: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy

Contact Address: Dr. Emilio Ravignani 2024, Buenos Aires - Argentina, C1414 CABA

Contact Name: info@iecs.org.ar

Contact Email: info@iecs.org.ar

Copyright: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS)