Does naltrexone treatment lead to depression? Findings from a randomized controlled trial in subjects with opioid dependence

Angela J Dean; John B Saunders; Rod T Jones; Ross Young; Jason P Connor; Bruce R Lawford

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Does naltrexone treatment lead to depression? Findings from a randomized controlled trial in subjects with opioid dependence

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Does naltrexone treatment lead to depression? Findings from a randomized controlled trial in subjects with opioid dependence

Angela J Dean, John B Saunders, Rod T Jones, Ross Young, Jason P Connor and Bruce R Lawford

Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, Vol.31(1), pp.38-45

2006

PMCID: PMC1325065

PMID: 16496034

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http://jpn.ca/vol31-issue1/31-1-38/View

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Abstract

anxiety

narcotic antagonists

naltrexone

mood disorders

safety

Research Paper

clinical trials

depression

methadone

treatment outcome

heroin dependence

Objective: Dysphoria and depression have been cited as side effects of the opioid antagonist naltrexone. We aimed to assess whether depressive symptoms are a clinically relevant side effect in a population receiving naltrexone as a treatment for opioid dependence. Methods: We carried out a randomized controlled, open-label trial comparing rapid opiate detoxification under anesthesia and naltrexone treatment with continued methadone maintenance at the Alcohol and Drug Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. The study subjects were patients stabilized on methadone maintenance treatment for heroin dependence who wished to transfer to naltrexone treatment. The Beck Depression Inventory, State–Trait Anxiety Inventory and Opiate Treatment Index subscales for heroin use and social functioning were used at baseline and follow-up assessments at 1, 2, 3 and 6 months. Results: Forty-two participants were allocated to receive naltrexone treatment, whereas 38 continued methadone maintenance as the control condition. Participants who received naltrexone did not exhibit worsening of depressive symptoms. In participants attending all follow-up assessments, there was a trend for those receiving naltrexone to exhibit an improvement in depression over time compared with the control group. Participants who were adherent to naltrexone treatment exhibited fewer depressive symptoms than those who were nonadherent. Conclusions: These results suggest that depression need not be considered a common adverse effect of naltrexone treatment or a treatment contraindication and that engaging with or adhering to naltrexone treatment may be associated with fewer depressive symptoms.

Details

Title: Does naltrexone treatment lead to depression? Findings from a randomized controlled trial in subjects with opioid dependence
Authors: Angela J Dean (Author) - University of Queensland
John B Saunders (Author) - University of Queensland
Rod T Jones (Author) - Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
Ross Young (Author) - University of Queensland
Jason P Connor (Author) - University of Queensland
Bruce R Lawford (Author) - Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
Publication details: Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, Vol.31(1), pp.38-45
Publisher: Canadian Medical Association
ISSN: 1488-2434
PMID: 16496034; PMC1325065
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99551000002621
Output Type: Journal article

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44 Times Cited - Web of Science

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Neurosciences; Psychiatry

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