Predischarge Injectable Versus Oral Naltrexone to Improve Postdischarge Treatment Engagement Among Hospitalized...

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Addiction Medicine
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Injectable naltrexone has shown efficacy for alcohol use disorders (AUDs).
• Previous studies have not directly compared injectable naltrexone with oral naltrexone.
• The utility of injectable naltrexone as a hospital-based intervention to improve post-discharge treatment attendance has not been investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of injectable naltrexone versus oral naltrexone in hospitalized veterans with AUD.
• To assess the potential of these formulations to facilitate treatment attendance after hospital discharge.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-four hospitalized veterans with alcohol dependence were randomized to receive either oral naltrexone (50 mg daily) or injectable naltrexone (380 mg) before discharge.
• Participants were followed up at 14 and 45 days to assess medication adherence, treatment engagement, and alcohol consumption.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found between the oral and injectable naltrexone groups regarding medication adherence, treatment engagement, or alcohol consumption at 14 or 45 days.
• Both groups showed significant reductions in alcohol consumption from pre-hospitalization levels to 14 and 45-day follow-ups.
• Medication adherence rates were comparable, with 62% in the oral group and 61% in the injectable group.

Conclusions:

• Both oral and injectable naltrexone are feasible to administer to hospitalized patients with AUD prior to discharge.
• The study findings support the feasibility of initiating naltrexone treatment in a hospital setting to manage AUD.
• Results suggest potential for larger studies to confirm efficacy and compare treatment outcomes.