Naltrexone: A safe and effective standard of care in treating alcohol use disorder.
| Title: | Naltrexone: A safe and effective standard of care in treating alcohol use disorder. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Deyo C; DPsych (Clin Neuro), Independent Researcher.; Membrey D; MBBS (Hons), DCH, FRACGP, FAChAM, Addiction Medicine Specialist, cohealth, Melbourne, Vic.; Conigrave KM; FAChAM, FAFPHM, PhD, MBBS, Conjoint Professor, Addiction Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW; Senior Staff Specialist, Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW.; Corbet D; BA, MBBS, DCH, FRACGP, FARGP, General Practitioner / RACGP GP Supervisor, Anglesea Medical and Wathaurong Aboriginal Health Service, Vic.; Garry S; BSc (Hons), MBBS (Hons), FRACGP, Addiction Medicine Registrar, cohealth, Melbourne, Vic; Addiction Medicine Registrar, Western Health, Melbourne, Vic.; Grover C; MD, Attending Physician, Addiction Medicine, Montage Health, Monterey, CA, USA.; Han E; BMedSci, MBBS, DCH, FRACGP, FAChAM, Staff Specialist, Drug and Alcohol Services, Northern Sydney Health District, Sydney, NSW; Clinical Lecturer, Discipline of Addiction Medicine, Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW; Local Health District Clinical Lead, Sydney North Health Network, Sydney, NSW.; Naren T; MBBS, MHM, MPH, FACRRM, FRACGP, FASLM, GAICD, Addiction Medicine Advanced Trainee, Western Health, St Albans, Vic; Host, Cracking Addiction Podcast. |
| Source: | Australian journal of general practice [Aust J Gen Pract] 2026 Jan-Feb; Vol. 55 (1-2), pp. 49-52. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Country of Publication: Australia NLM ID: 101718099 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2208-7958 (Electronic) NLM ISO Abbreviation: Aust J Gen Pract Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: East Melbourne, Victoria : Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, [2018]- |
| MeSH Terms: | Naltrexone*/therapeutic use ; Naltrexone*/pharmacology ; Naltrexone*/adverse effects ; Alcoholism*/drug therapy; Standard of Care/trends ; Standard of Care/standards ; Narcotic Antagonists/therapeutic use ; Humans ; Australia |
| Abstract: | Background: Harmful alcohol consumption is a common presentation in primary care. Naltrexone is a safe and effective treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD) that remains underused because of prescriber unfamiliarity, inconsistencies in guidelines, stigma and historical safety considerations.; Objective: This article reviews recent key research to assist naltrexone prescribing, including prescribing for patients with liver disease.; Discussion: Naltrexone is prescribed for fewer than 3% of patients with AUD in Australia, including patients with alcohol-related liver disease who access tertiary care and for whom treatment can be lifesaving. Evidence indicates that naltrexone is safe for patients with severe alcohol-associated cirrhosis. Naltrexone's safety in patients with severe acute hepatitis or acute-on-chronic liver failure remains unknown; however, naltrexone's ability to reduce alcohol consumption may outweigh any risks. Prescribers can align treatment with the patient's goal: naltrexone can be initiated with or without prior alcohol withdrawal, and targeted (non-daily) dosing is suitable for some patients. |
| Substance Nomenclature: | 5S6W795CQM (Naltrexone); 0 (Narcotic Antagonists) |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260208 Date Completed: 20260208 Latest Revision: 20260502 |
| Update Code: | 20260503 |
| DOI: | 10.31128/AJGP-03-25-7617 |
| PMID: | 41655290 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Journal Article