TOLERABILITY OF NALTREXONE IN TREATING OLDER, ALCOHOL-DEPENDENT PATIENTS

The authors conducted an interim analysis of the tolerability of naltr exone among older, alcohol-dependent adults. Thirty-six subjects over 50 years old were enrolled in a 12-week double blind, placebo-controll ed efficacy study of naltrexone. Sixteen subjects received naltrexone and were compared with the placebo group for the development of advers e effects. Self-reported adverse effects did not differ infrequency or duration between the placebo and naltrexone groups. There were no sig nificant differences in laboratory values between the two groups. Nalt rexone was well tolerated with no clinically significant adverse effec ts. However, the efficacy of naltrexone has yet to be determined in th is age group.