Abstract
Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist with established efficacy, albeit moderate, for the treatment of alcohol dependence. This manuscript provides a critical review of the literature on naltrexone as a pharmacotherapy for alcoholism by covering the following areas: (a) clinical findings from treatment studies; (b) pharmacokinetics and safety data; (c) medication compliance and persistence; and (d) neurobiological and biobehavioral mechanisms of action of naltrexone for the indication of alcohol dependence. This review will then focus on the emerging literature on naltrexone pharmacogenetics, which has the potential to identify responders on the basis of genetic variation and to use genetic tools to individualize the use of this medication. Limitations and future directions in the research and practice of naltrexone for alcoholism are also outlined.
Keywords: Naltrexone, alcoholism, mechanisms, neurobiology, pharmacogenetics
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets
Title: Naltrexone for the Treatment of Alcoholism: Clinical Findings, Mechanisms of Action, and Pharmacogenetics
Volume: 9 Issue: 1
Author(s): Lara A. Ray, Pauline F. Chin and Karen Miotto
Affiliation:
Keywords: Naltrexone, alcoholism, mechanisms, neurobiology, pharmacogenetics
Abstract: Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist with established efficacy, albeit moderate, for the treatment of alcohol dependence. This manuscript provides a critical review of the literature on naltrexone as a pharmacotherapy for alcoholism by covering the following areas: (a) clinical findings from treatment studies; (b) pharmacokinetics and safety data; (c) medication compliance and persistence; and (d) neurobiological and biobehavioral mechanisms of action of naltrexone for the indication of alcohol dependence. This review will then focus on the emerging literature on naltrexone pharmacogenetics, which has the potential to identify responders on the basis of genetic variation and to use genetic tools to individualize the use of this medication. Limitations and future directions in the research and practice of naltrexone for alcoholism are also outlined.
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Cite this article as:
Ray A. Lara, Chin F. Pauline and Miotto Karen, Naltrexone for the Treatment of Alcoholism: Clinical Findings, Mechanisms of Action, and Pharmacogenetics, CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets 2010; 9 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152710790966704
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152710790966704 |
Print ISSN 1871-5273 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1996-3181 |
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