Thanks for your comments. We have changed the description of naltrexone from "anti-craving drug" to "opiate antagonist" in the summary.

Actually, naltrexone was previously used to treat opiate (e.g., heroin) dependence, and it only made addicts sick if they were still using. The idea was to detox opiate addicts, then put them on naltrexone, which blocks the action of opiate "agonists" like heroin or Vicodin. Medications like naltrexone is called narcotic/opiate "antagonists" and naltrexone is still used in combination with buprenorphine in Suboxone. naltrexone's use in treating alcoholism is based on the fact that alcohol works in part through the brain's opiate system.

beg to correct, but trexan first saw use in the late 60's early 70's against heroin addicts. it made them sick. it was renamed reVia, depade, naltrexone, etc to make money off alkies. it was one part of the two part supertreatment heralded in the early 200s, but supertreatment was d.o.a. due to horrible treatment outcomes, i.e., failures. they must inject or implant because people are sickened by it and stop taking it as a result. this is the wave of the future, to inject or implant under threat of incarceration, to force alkies to make more money for them. there is another version on the west coast pushed hard by mike milliken's turncoat. the stuff 'vivitrol' has to be injected with delayed release 'enhancements' or nobody will continue taking it. taking the "fun" out of alcohol is a losing strategy because the alcoholic has long since surpassed the fun-to -shat ratio. hope this helps.

Poor journalism here. Naltrexone is an anti-craving drug for ALCOHOL, not opiates. It is used in opiate addiction, but the effect here is to block the euphoric effects of opiate use, if the patient happens to use again. It does not reduce cravings for opiates. It may possibly increase cravings for opiates. Certainly, it can acutely precipitate opiate withdrawal symptoms. For opiate addiction, naltrexone is not "relatively safe" at all. Upon cessation or interruption of its use, there are high rates of lethal overdose among patients who relapse. By blocking opiate receptors, naltrexone helps reverse acquired tolerance to opiates, perhaps even faster or more profoundly than abstinence alone. Its use among opiate addicts, whether in pill or injection form, should be pursued only with great caution and careful informed consent. In contrast, for alcoholism, really is an anti-craving medication. It is extremely safe in this context, and potentially of use both for those pursuing abstinance and those attempting moderation. In depot injection form, it would be a logical treatment for DUI offenders. Best, Steve Steve Coulter, MD SteveMDFP -at- gmail -dot- com