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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2011 Jan;37(1):22-6.
doi: 10.3109/00952990.2010.540281. Epub 2010 Dec 30.

The association between naltrexone treatment and symptoms of depression in opioid-dependent patients

David J Mysels  1 , Wendy Y Cheng, Edward V Nunes, Maria A Sullivan
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

The association between naltrexone treatment and symptoms of depression in opioid-dependent patients

David J Mysels et al. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2011 Jan.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the change in total symptoms, and symptom clusters, of depression in newly abstinent opioid-dependent individuals being treated with depot naltrexone (Depotrex; Biotek, Inc., Wellesley, MA).

Method: In a series of opioid-dependent patients (N = 34) treated with naltrexone maintenance and relapse prevention therapy, mood was assessed with a 17-item Hamilton Depression (HAM-D) Scale and subscale scores at baseline, and after naltrexone induction at 2- and 4-week post-baseline. Data were analyzed using generalized estimated equation (GEE) models.

Results: Patients demonstrated high baseline affective burden and significant improvement of depression scores over a 4-week period post-baseline (F(2.66) = 8.88; p = .0004). Somatic and cognitive-affective subscale scores significantly declined as well as the seven individual item scores. By contrast, the "late insomnia" item score significantly increased at 2 weeks post-baseline.

Conclusions and scientific significance: Naltrexone induction and maintenance in newly abstinent opioid-dependent individuals does not appear to be associated with worsening of depression; however, it may be associated with sleep impairment early in treatment.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Total HAM-D scores over time, by history of depression
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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