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Encyclopedia > Naltrexone
Naltrexone
Systematic (IUPAC) name
17-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4,5α-epoxy- 3,14-dihydroxymorphinan-6-one
Identifiers
CAS number 16590-41-3
ATC code N07BB04
PubChem 5360515
DrugBank APRD00005
Chemical data
Formula C20H23NO4 
Mol. mass 341.401 g/mol
Physical data
Melt. point 169 °C (336 °F)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability 5-40%
Protein binding 21%
Metabolism hepatic
Half life 4 hours (naltrexone),
13 hours (6-β-naltrexol)
Excretion renal
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.

Category B3 (Australia) molecular structure of naltrexone File links The following pages link to this file: Naltrexone Categories: GFDL images ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 525 pixelsFull resolution (1100 × 722 pixel, file size: 173 KB, MIME type: image/png) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... IUPAC nomenclature is a system of naming chemical compounds and of describing the science of chemistry in general. ... CAS registry numbers are unique numerical identifiers for chemical compounds, polymers, biological sequences, mixtures and alloys. ... The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System is used for the classification of drugs. ... A section of the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System. ... PubChem is a database of chemical molecules. ... The DrugBank database available at the University of Alberta is a unique bioinformatics and cheminformatics resource that combines detailed drug (i. ... A chemical formula is a concise way of expressing information about the atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound. ... For other uses, see Carbon (disambiguation). ... General Name, Symbol, Number hydrogen, H, 1 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 1, 1, s Appearance colorless Atomic mass 1. ... General Name, symbol, number nitrogen, N, 7 Chemical series nonmetals Group, period, block 15, 2, p Appearance colorless gas Standard atomic weight 14. ... General Name, symbol, number oxygen, O, 8 Chemical series nonmetals, chalcogens Group, period, block 16, 2, p Appearance colorless (gas) pale blue (liquid) Standard atomic weight 15. ... The molecular mass (abbreviated Mr) of a substance, formerly also called molecular weight and abbreviated as MW, is the mass of one molecule of that substance, relative to the unified atomic mass unit u (equal to 1/12 the mass of one atom of carbon-12). ... The melting point of a crystalline solid is the temperature range at which it changes state from solid to liquid. ... In pharmacology, bioavailability is used to describe the fraction of an administered dose of unchanged drug that reaches the systemic circulation, one of the principal pharmacokinetic properties of drugs. ... A drugs efficacy may be affected by the degree to which it binds to the proteins within blood plasma. ... Drug metabolism is the metabolism of drugs, their biochemical modification or degradation, usually through specialized enzymatic systems. ... It has been suggested that Effective half-life be merged into this article or section. ... The kidneys are important excretory organs in vertebrates. ... The pregnancy category of a pharmaceutical agent is an assessment of the risk of fetal injury due to the pharmaceutical, if it is used as directed by the mother during pregnancy. ...

Legal status

Schedule 4 (Australia) The regulation of therapeutic goods, that is drugs and therapeutic devices, varies by jurisdiction. ...

Routes oral
hepatic

Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist used primarily in the management of alcohol dependence and opioid dependence. It is marketed in generic form as its hydrochloride salt, naltrexone hydrochloride, and marketed under the trade names Revia and Depade. In some countries, an extended-release formulation is marketed under the trade name Vivitrol. It should not be confused with naloxone, which is used in emergency cases of overdose rather than for longer term dependence control. In pharmacology and toxicology, a route of administration is the path by which a drug, fluid, poison or other substance is brought into contact with the body. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... Antagonists will block the binding of an agonist at a receptor molecule, inhibiting the signal produced by a receptor-agonist coupling. ... Drug addiction, or dependency is the compulsive use of drugs, to the point where the user has no effective choice but to continue use. ... An opioid is a chemical substance that has a morphine-like action in the body. ... In chemistry, hydrochlorides are salts resulting, or regarded as resulting, from the reaction of hydrochloric acid with an organic base (mostly amines). ... For other uses, see Salt (disambiguation). ... Naloxone is a drug used to counter the effects of opioid overdose, for example heroin and morphine overdose. ... A drug overdose occurs when a chemical substance (i. ...

Contents

Chemical structure

Naltrexone can be described as a substituted oxymorphone – here the tertiary amine methyl-substituent is replaced with methylcyclopropane. Oxymorphone (Opana, Numorphan) or 14-Hydroxydihydromorphinone is a powerful semi-synthetic opioid analgesic that is derived from thebaine, and is approximately 6–8 times more potent than morphine. ... Ammonia Amines are organic compounds containing nitrogen as the key atom in the amine functional group. ... In chemistry a methyl-group is a hydrophobic Alkyl functional group which is derived from methane (CH4). ... Methylcyclopropane Methylcyclopropane (C4H8) is the alkyl cycloalkane compound of methane and cyclopropane. ...


Pharmacology

Naltrexone, and its active metabolite 6-β-naltrexol, are competitive antagonists at μ- and κ-opioid receptors, and to a lesser extent at δ-opioid receptors. The plasma halflife of naltrexone is about 4 h, for 6-β-naltrexol 13 h. The blockade of opioid receptors is the basis behind its action in the management of opioid dependence—it reversibly blocks or attenuates the effects of opioids. A metabolite is the product of metabolism. ... A competitive antagonist is a receptor antagonist which binds to a receptor but fails to activate it. ...


Its use in alcohol (ethanol) dependence has been studied and has been shown to be effective[1]. Its mechanism of action in this indication is not fully understood, but as an opioid-receptor antagonist it's likely to be due to the modulation of the dopaminergic mesolimbic pathway which ethanol is believed to activate. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Dopamine (disambiguation). ... The mesolimbic pathway is one of the neural pathways in the brain that link the ventral tegmentum in the midbrain to the nucleus accumbens in the limbic system. ...


Naltrexone is metabolised mainly to 6β-naltrexol by the liver enzyme dihydrodiol dehydrogenase. Other metabolites include 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-6β-naltrexol and 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-naltrexone. These are then further metabolised by conjugation with glucuronide .


Rapid detoxification

Naltrexone is sometimes used for rapid detoxification ("rapid detox") regimens for opioid dependence. The principle of rapid detoxification is to induce opioid-receptor blockade while the patient is in a state of impaired consciousness so as to attenuate the withdrawal symptoms experienced by the patient. Rapid detoxification under general anaesthesia involves an unconscious patient and requires intubation and external ventilation. Rapid detoxification is also possible under sedation. The rapid detoxification procedure is followed by oral naltrexone daily for up to 12 months for opioid dependence management. There are a number of practitioners who will use a naltrexone implant placed in the lower abdomen, and more rarely, in the posterior to replace the oral naltrexone. This implant procedure has not been shown scientifically to be successful in "curing" the subject of their addiction, though it does provide a better solution than oral naltrexone for medication compliance reasons. Naltrexone implants are made by at least three companies, though none are FDA approved. There is currently scientific disagreement as to whether this procedure should be performed under local or general anesthesia, due to the rapid, and sometimes severe, withdrawal that occurs from the naltrexone displacing the opiates from the receptor sites. Detox, short for detoxification, in general is the removal of toxic substances from the body. ... In modern medical practice, general anaesthesia (AmE: anesthesia) is a state of total unconsciousness resulting from general anaesthetic drugs. ... This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ... Sedation is a medical procedure involving administration of sedative drugs, generally to facilitate a medical procedure, such as endoscopy, vasectomy, or minor surgery with local anaesthesia. ...


Rapid detoxification has been criticised by some for its questionable efficacy in long-term opioid dependence management. Rapid detoxification has often been misrepresented as a one-off "cure" for opioid dependence, when it is only intended as the initial step in an overall drug rehabilitation regimen. Rapid detoxification is effective for short-term opioid detoxification, but is approximately 10 times more expensive than conventional detoxification procedures. Aftercare can also be an issue, since at least one well-known center (check before you assume they will take you) in the United States reported that they will remove an implant from any patient arriving in their facility before admission. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...


The usefulness of naltrexone in opioid dependence is very limited by the low retention in treatment. Like disulfiram in alcohol dependence, it temporarily blocks substance intake and does not affect craving. Though sustained-release preparations of naltrexone has shown rather promising results, it remains a treatment only for a small part of the opioid dependent population, usually the ones with an unusually stable social situation and motivation (e.g. dependent health care professionals).


Alcohol dependence

The main use of naltrexone is for the treatment of alcohol dependence. After publication of the first two randomised, controlled trials in 1992, a number of studies has confirmed its efficacy in reducing frequency and severity of relapse to drinking{[2]}. The multi-center COMBINE study has recently proved the usefulness of naltrexone in an ordinary, primary care setting, without adjunct psychotherapy{[3]}.


The standard regimen is one 50 mg tablet per day. Initial problems of nausea usually disappear after a few days, and other side effects (e.g. heightened liver enzymes) are rare. Drug interactions are not significant, besides the obvious antagonism of opioid analgetics. The psychological effect is one of reduced alcohol craving.


Depot injectable naltrexone (Vivitrol ®, formerly Vivitrex, but changed after a request by the FDA) was approved by the FDA on April 13, 2006 for the treatment of alcoholism. This version is made by Alkermes, and will be jointly marketed by Cephalon, Inc.. The medication is administered by intra-muscular injection and lasts for up to 30 days. Clinical trials for this medication were done with a focus on alcohol, presumably due to the larger number of alcoholics that it could be used to treat; however, Alkermes was asked to run a safety study for the off-label use of the injection for opiate addicts. This was found to be a successful use of the medication in patients who were single drug abusers, though multi-drug abusers would generally decrease their opiate use and increase their use of other drugs (i.e. cocaine) while on the injection. Other studies (Schmitz et al., 2001[4]), however, provide preliminary evidence that naltrexone with the right protocol can be effective in treating cocaine addiction. Alcoholism is the consumption of, or preoccupation with, alcoholic beverages to the extent that this behavior interferes with the drinkers normal personal, family, social, or work life, and may lead to physical or mental harm. ... Alkermes may refer to: Alkermes, Inc. ... // The following is a list of the top 50 pharmaceutical and biotech companies ranked by healthcare revenue. ... Off-label use is the practice of prescribing drugs for a purpose outside the scope of the drugs approved label, most often concerning the drugs indication. ... Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. ...


A recent study has shown that a more effective route of treating opioid addiction may be the use of cannabinoid receptor antagonists, in particular the CB1 antagonist rimonabant (SR 141716A) which has been shown to reduce heroin relapse in clinical trials on rats. However, agonist substitution treatment with methadone or buprenorphine remains the only effective evidence-based treatment of opiate dependence. Rimonabant (SR141716) is an anorectic anti-obesity drug. ...


Safety

In alcohol dependence, naltrexone is considered a safe medication. Control of liver values prior to initiation of treatment is recommended. There has been some controversy regarding the use of opioid-receptor antagonists, such as naltrexone, in the long-term management of opioid dependence due to the effect of these agents in sensitising the opioid receptors. That is, after therapy, the opioid receptors continue to have increased sensitivity for a period during which the patient is at increased risk of opioid overdose. This effect reinforces the necessity of monitoring of therapy and provision of patient support measures by medical practitioners. A drug overdose occurs when a chemical substance (i. ...


Low-dose naltrexone (LDN)

Main article: Low dose naltrexone

Low dose naltrexone (LDN), where the drug is used in doses approximately one-tenth those used for drug/alcohol rehabilitation purposes, is being used by some as an "off-label" experimental treatment for certain immunologically-related disorders, including HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, cancer, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis, and central nervous system disorders. Low dose naltrexone (LDN), where naltrexone is used in doses approximately one-tenth those used for drug/alcohol rehabilitation purposes, is being used as an off-label treatment for certain immunologically-related disorders. ... Off-label use is the practice of prescribing drugs for a purpose outside the scope of the drugs approved label, most often concerning the drugs indication. ... Cancer is a class of diseases or disorders characterized by uncontrolled division of cells and the ability of these to spread, either by direct growth into adjacent tissue through invasion, or by implantation into distant sites by metastasis (where cancer cells are transported through the bloodstream or lymphatic system). ...


Erectile dysfunction

Naltrexone can induce early morning erections in patients who suffer from psychogenic erectile dysfunction. The exact pathway of this effect is unknown. Priapism has been reported in two individuals receiving Vivitrol. Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence is a sexual dysfunction characterized by the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis. ... Priapism (Ancient Greek: ) is a potentially harmful medical condition in which the erect penis does not return to its flaccid state (despite the absence of both physical and psychological stimulation) within about four hours. ...


References

  • Noeline C Latt, Stephen Jurd, Jennie Houseman and Sonia E Wutzke. "Naltrexone in alcohol dependence: a randomised controlled trial of effectiveness in a standard clinical setting.". The Medical Journal of Australia 176 (11): 530-534. 
  • Schmitz J, Stotts A, Rhoades H, Grabowski J. "Naltrexone and relapse prevention treatment for cocaine-dependent patients.". Addict Behav 26 (2): 167-80. PMID 11316375. 
  • Comer SD, Sullivan MA, Yu E, Rothenberg JL, Kleber HD, Kampman K, Dackis C O’Brien CP: Injectable, sustained-release naltrexone for the treatment of opioid dependence. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2006; 63: 210-218

External links

Low Dose Naltrexone


  Results from FactBites:
 
Frequently Asked Questions about Naltrexone (1084 words)
Naltrexone is a medication that blocks the effects of drugs known as opioids (a class that includes morphine, heroin or codeine).
Naltrexone should not be used with pregnant women, individuals with severe liver or kidney damage or with patients who cannot achieve abstinence for at least 5 days prior to initiating medications.
Naltrexone may reduce the feeling of intoxication and the desire to drink more, but it will not cause a severe physical response to drinking.
Naltrexone - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (1022 words)
Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist used primarily in the management of alcohol dependence and opioid dependence.
Naltrexone, and its active metabolite 6-β-naltrexol, are competitive antagonists at μ- and κ-opioid receptors, and to a lesser extent at δ-opioid receptors.
Naltrexone is sometimes used for rapid detoxification ("rapid detox") regimens for opioid dependence.
  More results at FactBites »

 

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