High-dose naltrexone and liver function safety

Am J Addict. 1997 Winter;6(1):21-9. doi: 10.3109/10550499708993159.

Abstract

Studies have found naltrexone useful in the treatment of diseases other than opiate addiction in which endogenous opioids presumably play a role, such as alcoholism and eating disorders. Some of these studies involve high doses (100-200 mg bid). Because investigational studies with high doses (300 mg/day) reported clinically significant increases in liver enzyme levels, the authors measured a spectrum of liver function parameters in response to high doses of naltrexone in a double-blind, crossover trial (100 mg bid) followed by an open-label period (200 mg bid). They observed no adverse clinical or laboratory changes in liver function in association with high-dose naltrexone therapy in eating disorders.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alanine Transaminase / drug effects
  • Anorexia Nervosa / drug therapy*
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / drug effects
  • Bulimia / drug therapy*
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / drug effects
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Liver Function Tests*
  • Middle Aged
  • Naltrexone / administration & dosage
  • Naltrexone / pharmacology*
  • Naltrexone / therapeutic use*
  • Narcotic Antagonists / administration & dosage
  • Narcotic Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Narcotic Antagonists / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Naltrexone
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase