A randomised double blind placebo controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of an Australian naltrexone implant compared to oral naltrexone for the long-term management of heroin-dependent persons

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GoMedical Industries has developed a formulation of sustained release naltrexone, suitable for subcutaneous depot administration. Currently, implants are inserted by minor surgery under local anaesthetic in high risk patients under the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Special Access Category A scheme (SAS) through the Australian Medical Procedures Research Foundation (AMPRF), Western Australia. Although there is a preliminary basis for believing that this naltrexone implant treatment may offer significant benefits over oral and other naltrexone depot preparations thus far reported for managing the heroin dependent patient, this needs to be verified through a clinical trial. Hence, the main objective of this study is to provide rigorous clinical data using a double blind, double placebo controlled study, on the effectiveness of this naltrexone implant compared to oral naltrexone in the management of heroin dependent persons by primarily monitoring: maintenance of blood naltrexone and 6-b-naltrexol concentrations above therapeutic levels; prevention of accidental opiate overdose; reduced opiate use; reduced opiate related morbidity and mortality; reduced craving for heroin and other health related outcomes.