Naltrexone or buprenorphine-naloxone for relapse of opioid misuse after discharge from an institution.
Optimal Prevention of Overdose Deaths and Opioid Relapse Following Discharge: A Multi-Centre RCT.
Langtidsvirkande naltrekson mot opioidavhengighet
Langtidsvirkande naltrexon-injeksjoner (XR-NTX) er ei ny behandlingsmoglegheit for opioidavhengnad som blokkerer euforiske effektar av heroin og andre opioid og forhindrar overdosering av opioid. I motsetning til behandling med metadon eller buprenorfin, så hjelper XR-NTX behandling pasientane med å avstå frå opioid over tid.
Langtidsvirkende naltrekson mot opioidavhengighet - Akershus universitetssykehus HF
Long-acting naltrexone (opioid antagonist) in injectable form may help reduce the number of overdoses and lower the relapse rate among opioid-dependent individuals. The medication is being tested for the first time in a multi-centre study in (Western) Europe, and if the outcome of the study is positive, medication-assisted abstinence could be considered as a treatment option for opioid dependence in Norway.
Long-acting naltrexone prevents heroin and other opioids from accessing the receptors in the brain, thereby blocking the potential for euphoric effects and overdose. This is crucial for patients at high risk of overdose, such as those recently discharged from detoxification, interdisciplinary specialised addiction treatment, or prison. Long-acting naltrexone has a duration of action of four weeks and will therefore protect against intoxication and overdose from opioids even if the participant experiences a 'slip'.
What is the study about?
In the study, adult opioid-dependent individuals are randomly assigned to begin either long-acting naltrexone or buprenorphine-naloxone, Suboxone, for 12 weeks following discharge from a controlled environment in addiction treatment or the criminal justice system. Suboxone is currently the recommended first choice in opioid substitution treatment (LAR). After 12 weeks, participants can freely choose which medication they wish to continue with over the following 36 weeks. Participants will be monitored with weekly urine tests and monthly interviews. The study lasts a total of 48 weeks.
Progress of the project
The inclusion of patients was completed in June 2015, with a total of 166 patients included. All patients will have completed the first part of the study by September (12-week randomised period), and by March 2016, the last patient will have completed the entire study. Data from the first part of the study will be available by January/February 2016.
The study is being conducted at the following hospitals: Oslo University Hospital, Akershus University Hospital, Haukeland University Hospital, Stavanger University Hospital, and Vestfold Hospital.
Project period 2012 – 2016.
Health West funded PhD project
Contact information
Contact person
Arild Opheim
Research and Development Section, Department of Addiction Medicine
Haukeland University Hospital
Last updated 10/9/2026