Seeking help for drug addiction?

Addiction Advisor .co.uk is the leading online provider of free medical information about drug and alcohol addiction issues. You can receive independent, expert advice on addictions rehab and treatment by telephoning Addiction Advisor on 0845 370 0102

New Clinical Study for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence

Alkermes, Inc. recently announced the initiation of a phase 3 clinical trial of VIVITROL® - a drug for the treatment of opioid dependence. The multi-centre study is designed to assess the efficacy and safety of VIVITROL in approximately 200 patients diagnosed with opioid dependence. The clinical data from this study will form the basis of a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for VIVITROL for the treatment of opioid dependence.

"Opioid dependence is a serious disease affecting millions of people yet there are few approved medications available for these patients and no approved long-acting antagonist therapies," stated Dr. Herbert Kleber, Professor of Psychiatry, Director, Division on Substance Abuse, Columbia University. "Naltrexone, the active ingredient in VIVITROL, has been shown to effectively block the effects of opiates but patients have difficulty complying with a daily medication regimen. Therefore, I am pleased to see the development of new therapeutic options, such as VIVITROL, which could provide an important approach to long-term recovery and potentially help reduce the risk of relapse."

In addition to the use of heroin, an illegal opioid, opioid abuse and addiction includes the non-medical use of approved opioid analgesics, including prescription pain relievers, and represents a growing public health problem in the U.S. According to the 2006 U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 1.9 million people aged 12 or older were dependent on or abused pain relievers or heroin. In 2005, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction estimated the prevalence of problem opioid use in Europe to be in the range of 1.3 to 1.7 million people.2 Researchers have found that the cost of prescription opioid abuse in the U.S. in 2001 was $9.2 billion.3

"The advancement of VIVITROL into phase 3 development for an indication of opioid dependence marks an important milestone for the programme," stated Dr. Elliot Ehrich, Chief Medical Officer of Alkermes. "If approved, VIVITROL would be the first and only non-narcotic, non-addictive, long-acting medication for the treatment of opioid dependence."

Article originally published on 03/06/2008 by DryOutNow.com, the alcohol specific website for Addiction Advisor

Addictions Medical Research

• Brains reaction to self administered cocaine differs ...... read
• Understanding addiction mechanisms is the key to designing efficient therapy ...... read
• Nature or nurture, are you who your brain chemistry says you are? ...... read
• Statistics on Drug Misuse: England, 2008 released ...... read
• New evidence on addiction to medicines ...... read
• Risky drinking in over-55s becomes the focus of new research ...... read
• New drug and alcohol research presentations planned for annual meeting ...... read
• Coffee and cigarette consumption high among AA attendees ...... read
• The treatment of alcoholism: How recent research impacts on clinicians ...... read
• Dopamine shown to induce both desire and dread ...... read
• Pregnant substance users can deliver healthy babies with early treatment ...... read
• Minimum Drinking Age of 21 Saves Lives, Study Finds ...... read
• New Clinical Study for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence ...... read
• Broad Differences in Alcohol, Tobacco and Illegal Drug Use across Countries ...... read
• Binge drinking findings have implications for policy makers ...... read
• Kids connect alcohol odours with emotions ...... read
• Scientifically valid prevention programmes cut rates of juvenile delinquency ...... read
• United Nations Drugs Day ...... read
• Substance abuse problems could be addressed at a local level ...... read
• BMA backs alcohol action plan ...... read