Biomedical subjects

Grethe Frogopsahl

Publications and source records attributed to Grethe Frogopsahl.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Naltrexone implants -- duration, tolerability and clinical usefulness. A pilot study.

Naltrexone blocks opioid effects effectively, but poor compliance limits the clinical usefulness in the treatment of opioid dependence. Long-acting implanted formulations might increase the clinical feasibility. Several implants have been produced, but few clinical reports have been published. This paper describes an open trial with an Australian implant. This implant is claimed to have duration of up to six months with double implants and acceptable levels of side effects. This was explored in the present pilot study with 13 opioid-dependent patients. By single implant of 1.8 g naltrexone the duration judged by naltrexone plasma levels above 1 ng/ml naltrexone was between 2 and 4 months. Double implants maintained such plasma levels for 5-6.5 months. Clinically, the implants appeared promising. Side effects were minimal. During the period with adequate plasma levels of naltrexone, use of opioids was absent and use of other psychoactive drugs reduced. At 1-year follow-up, the patients rated the implants highly positively.

Drug Implants↗

PubMed2003

[Naltrexone implants--a pilot project].

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of Norwegian heroin addicts have had naltrexone implants abroad without proper documentation. The authors established a joint project to study duration and safety. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Methodology to measure naltrexone in plasma was developed. 10 patients had 21 implants. Plasma samples were collected before, one and three hours after implantation, daily for one week, then weekly. Patient satisfaction, side effects and unwanted medical events were recorded. RESULTS: Patients had a protective level of naltrexone for 35-80 days. Side effects were few. Two patients had abstinence reactions caused by insufficient detoxification. Two patients had their repeat implants removed because of tissue reactions. One patient developed hepatitis C infection in the second week after implantation. One had transient increase in transaminases after heavy multi-drug use. The others were without signs of hepatic toxicity. INTERPRETATION: Use of implants secures a prolonged period of naltrexone protection. Implants are mostly well tolerated, but tissue reactions to repeat implants could be a problem. Evaluation of the patients should be thorough and the treatment integrated in a competent follow up.

Adult↗