NALTREXONE IMPLANTS

We will try to summarise information about Naltrexone implants. how and why they were invented and how they can help you fight your drugs and alcohol addiction.

• - What is Naltrexone?
  
• - How were Naltrexone implants developed?
  
• - Naltrexone implants' success rate
  
• - Is Naltrexone toxic?
  
• - Clinical experience with Naltrexone
  
  

What is Naltrexone?

Naltrexone is a pure opiate antagonist with low oral bioavailability of around 40%. Simply said, only 40% of the 50 mg Nalorex you take will end up on your opiate receptors. Clinical data has shown that poor medication compliance occurs with daily naltrexone tablets’ treatment for opioid dependence. Because patients often stop taking Naltrexone hydrochloride or Nalorex attempting to relapse.

Learn more about Naltrexone pills 

Naltrexone’s lack of agonist activity causes no withdrawal-related side-effects. Therefore, there are no negative consequences when the patient stops taking it.

We have observed better Naltrexone compliance when a responsible adult is available to supervise daily Naltrexone dosing. There are reports that the method of daily Naltrexone tablets intake is not very efficient. Experienced doctors specialised in addiction treatment medical field recommend another method. Long-term sustained release of Naltrexone would be more appropriate in drug addiction treatment.

As a result, Naltrexone implants are invented.

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How were Naltrexone implants developed?

Naltrexone was synthesized in the 1960s. Scientists had first used Naltrexone clinically in the early 1970s. It soon became evident that its therapeutic potential was undermined by poor compliance. Therefore, the first studies of depot Naltrexone date from the mid 70s. Human studies took place in the early 1980s, and most of the basic science was known by then.

85% Naltrexone implants success rate in alcohol addiction treatment reported in the USA

Is Naltrexone toxic?

Since Naltrexone is a relatively old drug, its properties are correspondingly well known. It appears to have no significant organ toxicity apart from very rare rashes. And In particular, there are no reports of clinically significant liver toxicity.

First generation of Naltrexone blockers

The first Naltrexone implants for clinical trials took place around 1997th. Dr Lance L Gooberman (Pellet Technologies LLC, NJ), George Malmberg (Wedgewood Pharmacy, NJ) and Alan R Tripp were the first experts to test them. See the patent

These ‘first generation’ implants consisted of a cigarette-butt size pellet. It was made of

• - compressed naltrexone powder
• - small percentage of magnesium stearate
• - slow-release triamcinolone

Magnesium stearate is a normal component of implants. However, it sometimes causes tissue irritation. Therefore, 10 mg of slow-release triamcinolone was added to reduce allergic reactions.

These drug implants dissolve and disappear completely in about  5-7 weeks on average.

All these changed have led to Naltrexone implants success rate significant improvements.

Pharmacy of a Berlin hospital has made similar drug implant for internal use . Thanks to removing stearate component better tissue tolerability was achieved. These implant became available at theend of 2006.

George Sherman at Towne Pharmacy has  manufactured the later implant. It is a 1g  pellet with 10mg of slow release triamcinolone. It is manufactured in a more advanced manner producing effective opioid blockage for 12 to 14 weeks.

The same product is now licensed in Russia as Prodetoxone. It is currently being used in three extensive trials. The trials are conducted at St.Petersburg Scientific-Research Centre of Addictions and Psychopharmacology. Also at Pavlov Medical University, St.Petersburg,Russia in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania, Department of Psychiatry, Philadelphia, USA. Naltrexone implants success rate in Russia is not known because of lack research.

Naltrexone prices

Second generation of Naltrexone implants

Second generation’ of Naltrexone implants apply another established implant technique. This is embedding naltrexone in a matrix of biodegradable polymer microspheres. Dr George O’Neill of GO-Medical Industries in Perth, WA had made the first implant of this type.  The polymer takes 1-2 years to break down and naltrexone is released for 5-12 months or more. The effectiveness  may be only partial after about 9-13 months though.

These implants are generally well-tolerated and there is no need to include a steroid. Both types of implants are usually inserted with antibiotic prophylaxis. They also can block very large amounts of heroin thanks to containing large quantity of Naltrexone.

These implants are generally well-tolerated and there is no need to include a steroid. Both types of implants are usually inserted with antibiotic prophylaxis. They also can block very large amounts of heroin thanks to containing large quantity of Naltrexone.

Basic composition of the O’Neill implant is as follows:

• - 50% naltrexone
• - 49% of biodegradable polymer
• - 1% magnesium stearate

The polymer material is similar material to that used in biodegradable sutures and has the FDA’s license.

Types of Naltrexone implants

There are  several "new" second generation implants:

The most recent is the LI LA naltrexone implant from China, and is also based on the use of biodegradeable polymer. However, the LI LA naltrexone implant appears to give good blood levels and hence effective opiate blockage over one year.

Afterwords three American companies have developed blockers:

1. Addex naltrexone implants - Bartor Pharmacal Inc.

2. Trident naltrexone implants - Trident Inc.

3. Hydron naltrexone implants - Valera Pharma Inc. the implants are at various stages of development. Therefore, The polymer can also be formulated as a liquid vehicle for a depot injection of naltrexone.

One Alkermes Inc. USA have been working on this for over 10 years. FDA had approved Vivitrol under special license  for use in the treatment of alcoholics. Because of its efficiency in alcohol addiction treatment, it is used in many countries.

Where can I get  the cheapest Naltrexone implant (opiate blocker) in the UK, Ireland, Continental Europe?  Ask our experts about £ 550 anti-heroin implant at ask@refindyourway.com  +44 20 3289 8289   More answers about Naltrexone maintenance   Ex Methadone+heroin addict from Netherlands on his pain-free Rapid Opioid Detox and Naltrexone Implant Therapy This Dutchman came back for his next low-cost opiate blocker Contact us at ask@refindyourway.com to choose your Naltrexone Implant or call +44 20 3289 8289