Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementBase::execute($args = [], $options = []) should either be compatible with PDOStatement::execute(?array $params = null): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2246 of /var/www/webmd/apps/mdedge/htdocs/includes/database/database.inc).
Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2348 of /var/www/webmd/apps/mdedge/htdocs/includes/database/database.inc).
Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2348 of /var/www/webmd/apps/mdedge/htdocs/includes/database/database.inc).
Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::key() should either be compatible with Iterator::key(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2348 of /var/www/webmd/apps/mdedge/htdocs/includes/database/database.inc).
Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::valid() should either be compatible with Iterator::valid(): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2348 of /var/www/webmd/apps/mdedge/htdocs/includes/database/database.inc).
Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2348 of /var/www/webmd/apps/mdedge/htdocs/includes/database/database.inc).
Applied Evidence
Medication-assisted recovery for opioid use disorder: A guide
Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy (Drs. Posen, Keller, Elmes, and Jarrett) and Department of Academic Internal Medicine (Dr. Messmer) and Department of Family and Community Medicine (Drs. Gastala and Neeb), College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago jarrett8@uic.edu
Drs. Posen, Keller, Elmes, Messmer, Gastala, and Neeb reported no potential conflict of interest relevant to this article. Dr. Jarrett is a consultant to Trevena, developer of an investigative agent, TRV734, for medication-assisted treatment of opioid use disorder. She receives research funding from the US Health Resources and Services Administration; the Illinois Department of Human Services; the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the US Department of Health and Human Services; the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; and the Coleman Foundation.
Second, because naltrexone does not address withdrawal symptoms, supportive therapies should be incorporated into the treatment plan, including:
clonidine for hyperadrenergic symptoms (anxiety, diaphoresis, hypertension)
nonopioid analgesics for pain
antiemetics, such as ondansetron and metoclopramide, for nausea or vomiting
loperamide for diarrhea
diphenhydramine for insomnia.
Third, patients taking naltrexone have a diminished response to opioids. This complicates pain management in the event of an emergent surgical procedure.
Last, when naltrexone wears off, patients are effectively opioid-naïve, which increases the risk for overdose in those who stop therapy abruptly.29 The increased risk for overdose should be communicated to all patients with OUD who are being treated with naltrexone.
This nonopioid option is appealing to policymakers and is often prioritized in the criminal justice system; however, the decreased efficacy of naltrexone (compared to methadone and buprenorphine), potential for overdose, and challenges in initiating treatment are concerning and limit the drug’s use in many real-world settings.
Because naltrexone is not a controlled substance, regulations regarding maintaining inventory and distribution are more flexible.
