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A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of naltrexone in the treatment of alcohol dependence in Taiwan
Author(s) -
Huang MingChyi,
Chen ChunHsin,
Yu JengMing,
Chen ChiaoChicy
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
addiction biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.445
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1369-1600
pISSN - 1355-6215
DOI - 10.1080/13556210500223504
Subject(s) - naltrexone , placebo , craving , alcohol dependence , alcohol , double blind , placebo controlled study , narcotic antagonist , psychology , medicine , psychiatry , alcohol use disorder , anesthesia , addiction , antagonist , chemistry , biochemistry , alternative medicine , receptor , pathology
The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of naltrexone in Taiwanese Han males with alcohol dependence. In conjunction with limited supportive psychotherapy, 40 alcoholic patients, who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version III revised (DSM‐III‐R) criteria for alcohol dependence, were assigned to a randomized double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of naltrexone hydrochloride (50?mg/day) for 14 weeks following alcohol detoxification. Among recruited patients, 45% (n = 9/20) of the naltrexone‐treated subjects and 35% (n = 7/20) of the placebo‐treated subjects dropped out (p = 0.374). The relapse rates between the two groups were not significant (p = 0.671). Subjects taking naltrexone reported less alcohol craving compared with placebo‐treated subjects. In support of previous reports, the present results suggest that naltrexone may be safe and effective in craving reduction in alcohol‐dependent subjects.