Naltrexone as an adjunctive treatment for older patients with alcohol dependence

The authors examined the efficacy of naltrexone as an adjunctive treatment for alcohol dependence in older adults. Forty-four veterans over 50 years of age were enrolled in a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled efficacy study of naltrexone (the equivalent of 50 mg per day). There were no differences in the frequency of any self-reported adverse effects or in liver enzyme values between the placebo- and naltrexone-treated groups. There were no differences between the treatment groups in the number of subjects remaining abstinent or in the number of subjects who relapsed. However, all placebo-treated subjects relapsed after sampling alcohol, whereas only three of six naltrexone-treated subjects met relapse criteria after alcohol exposure (P = 0.024). The authors conclude that naltrexone was well tolerated and efficacious in preventing relapse in subjects who drank.

Tolerability of naltrexone in treating older, alcohol-dependent patients

The authors conducted an interim analysis of the tolerability of naltrexone among older, alcohol-dependent adults. Thirty-six subjects over 50 years old were enrolled in a 12-week, double blind, placebo-controlled efficacy study of naltrexone. Sixteen subjects received naltrexone and were compared with the placebo group for the development of adverse effects. Self-reported adverse effects did not differ in frequency or duration between the placebo and naltrexone groups. There were no significant differences in laboratory values between the two groups. Naltrexone was well tolerated with no clinically significant adverse effects. However, the efficacy of naltrexone has yet to be determined in this age group.