• J Ahmadi, M Babaeebeigi, I Maany, J Porter, M Mohagheghzadeh, N Ahmadi, and G Dehbozorgi.
• Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Fars Province, Iran. jamshid-ahmadi@yahoo.com
• Ir J Med Sci. 2004 Jan 1; 173 (1): 343734-7.

BackgroundClinical trials have shown that naltrexone 50 mg/day reduces alcohol consumption and relapse rates in alcohol dependents.AimTo investigate the efficacy of 50mg/day dose of naltrexone in the maintenance of alcohol-dependent subjects over a 36-week treatment period.MethodsSubjects were randomised into two equal groups, consisting of 116 male alcohol-dependent patients who met the DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence and were seeking treatment. The participants received naltrexone or placebo at a dose of 50 mg/day and were treated in an outpatient clinic, offering a weekly 0.5-hour individual counselling session. Days retained in treatment were measured.ResultsForty-one participants (35.3%) completed the 36-week study. Completion rates by group were 44.8% for the 50 mg naltrexone group and 25.9% for the placebo group (chi2=4.56, DF=1, 2-sided significance=0.033).ConclusionThe results support the efficacy and safety of naltrexone for outpatient treatment of alcohol-dependent individuals in Iran.

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