Naltrexone and Gene Variants Studied in Addicted Patients
So there’s a new study out that focuses on a specific gene variant that is commonly found in addicts and how those who possess that particular gene react when taking naltrexone. Turns out, the overall outcomes of treatment for these people was far better for those on naltrexone than on those without.
Ting-Kai Li, MD, is the director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). She says, “Analysis of the large COMBINE patient population increases confidence that the OPRM1 variant is in part responsible for positive responses to naltrexone. This study points to the promise of research on gene-medication interactions to refine treatment selection, improve clinical results, and inform ongoing medications development.”
Now, naltrexone, though used in both alcohol and opioid dependence, is not to be confused with naloxone. Naltrexone is most commonly used in ongoing alcohol addiction treatment to block brain receptors and reduce cravings as well as help an addict stop quickly in the case of a slip. Naloxone is used to quickly reverse the effects of opiates. Most often injected into overdose victims, naloxone is also a part of Suboxone where it is combined with buprenorphine. In this case, naloxone is present to discourage abuse of the drug by dissolving it in water and injecting it. For those who attempt this practice, an immediate withdrawal will result as any and all opiates in the system will be kicked off the opiate receptors and, essentially, won’t work.
For more information on this study, check out the February 4 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
For more information on naltrexone, head over to The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Want more information about Suboxone and naloxone? The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Meditox have all you need.
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