Naltrexone and its Effects on Craving and Alcohol Use among Patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndroms: A Report

Document Type : Short Communication(s)

Authors

National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India

10.34172/ahj.1494

Abstract

Background: Naltrexone is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved anti-craving agent for the long-term treatment of 
alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS). However, it may not be equally effective in all patients. This study aims to assess naltrexone 
treatment response over four weeks in a national-level tertiary care setting.
Methods: Male patients with ADS (n=100) who were initiated on naltrexone were included in the study. The clinical data, 
including the drinking pattern and craving, were recorded at baseline. At the end of the one-month follow-up, the drinking status 
and compliance with naltrexone were recorded. 
Findings: At the end of one month, more than half of the patients (n=53) were retained in the study. All the treatment-retained 
patients (n=53) reported naltrexone consumption for more than 24 days in the last month. Those who retained in the study 
reported significantly less craving among 72% of patients, while an almost 50% reduction in alcohol use was observed.
Conclusion: This study adds to the evidence of outcomes with naltrexone in terms of reduced craving and alcohol use.

Highlights

Ram Kumar: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Rizwana Quraishi: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Siddharth Sarkar: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Ravindra Rao: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Atul Ambekar: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Keywords

References

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Addiction & Health
Volume 16, Issue 3
July 2024
Pages 224-227

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