• Helge Waal, Asbjørg S Christophersen, Grethe Frogopsahl, Linda Helen Olsen, and Jørg Mørland.
• Instituttgruppe for psykiatri, Seksjon for kliniske rusmiddelproblemer, Universitetet i Oslo, MARIO, Kirkeveien 166, 0407 Oslo. helge.waal@psykiatri.uio.no
• Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. 2003 Jun 12; 123 (12): 1660-1.

BackgroundAn 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 MethodsMethodology 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.ResultsPatients 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.InterpretationUse 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.

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