Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 21, 2025

A Method for Evaluating the Reinforcing Properties of Ethanol in Rats without Water Deprivation, Saccharin Fading or Extended Access Training
Published on: January 29, 2017
The Utilization of Low Dose Naltrexone for Chronic Pain
Salomon Poliwoda1, Bryant Noss2, Gia Thinh D Truong2
1Department of Anesthesiology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Road, Miami Beach, FL, USA. Salomon.pb@gmail.com.
Abstract:
Naltrexone is a mu-opioid receptor antagonist with a long half-life compared with naloxone. Both of these drugs, along with others, were developed with the intention of reversing the effects of opioid abuse or toxicity. Evidence has also shown that naltrexone has a benefit in preventing relapse by reducing opioid cravings and reducing symptoms of opioid withdrawal. The benefits of this drug were not only shown with opioid abuse. In 1984 this drug was also approved for alcohol abuse. Naltrexone has been proven to decrease alcohol relapse by decreasing the craving. Apart from these approved indications for the use of naltrexone, with time, it has been seen that this drug has a benefit in treating chronic pain. A number of studies have shown the benefits of this drug with inflammatory bowel disease, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, diabetic neuropathy, and complex regional pain syndrome, among others. More studies are needed to approve this medication for specific chronic pain conditions.
Related Concept Videos
Analgesia and Pain Management
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
Nociception
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...

