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Naltrexone for alcohol-dependent patients
J Ahmadi1, M Babaeebeigi, I Maany
1Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Fars Province, Iran. jamshid-ahmadi@yahoo.com
Background:
Clinical trials have shown that naltrexone 50 mg/day reduces alcohol consumption and relapse rates in alcohol dependents.
Aim:
To investigate the efficacy of 50mg/day dose of naltrexone in the maintenance of alcohol-dependent subjects over a 36-week treatment period.
Methods:
Subjects were randomised into two equal groups, consisting of 116 male alcohol-dependent patients who met the DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence and were seeking treatment. The participants received naltrexone or placebo at a dose of 50 mg/day and were treated in an outpatient clinic, offering a weekly 0.5-hour individual counselling session. Days retained in treatment were measured.
Results:
Forty-one participants (35.3%) completed the 36-week study. Completion rates by group were 44.8% for the 50 mg naltrexone group and 25.9% for the placebo group (chi2=4.56, DF=1, 2-sided significance=0.033).
Conclusion:
The results support the efficacy and safety of naltrexone for outpatient treatment of alcohol-dependent individuals in Iran.
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