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Biomedical subjects

L S Brahen

Publications and source records attributed to L S Brahen.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1988

Naltrexone: lack of effect on hepatic enzymes.

A number of studies have established the clinical efficacy of naltrexone in the treatment of opiate addiction. However, questions have been raised regarding its hepatotoxic potential and warnings have been given prominence in the package insert regarding its use for those with even less severe liver disease. The current study monitored 53 male patients receiving naltrexone 350 mg weekly for 12 weeks. The lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) and serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT) levels were determined at pretreatment and at monthly intervals thereafter for three months. LDH and SGOT were found to drop significantly from baseline over this three-month period. This decrease appeared most notable for those with pretreatment hepatic enzyme levels exceeding the normal range. Moreover, changes in hepatic enzyme levels were not consistently correlated with the patients use of illicit drugs such as opioids, benzodiazepines, cocaine, barbiturates, and amphetamines. Based on these data, we have concluded that contrary to cautions implied in the naltrexone package insert, the benefit of admitting patients with the sole problem of elevated hepatic enzymes generally exceeds the risk.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Naltrexone treatment in a jail work-release program.

Inmates with a history of opiate addiction have traditionally been excluded from jail work-release programs because of their high likelihood of returning to drug use. In 1972, a new jail work-release program was begun in the Nassau County (New York) Jail, to which addicted inmates, who had formerly been excluded automatically, could request admission if they took the opiate blocking agent naltrexone. Inmates received naltrexone twice a week and had routine urine checks for drugs of abuse and an alcohol breath test when indicated. Psychological and vocational testing and weekly psychotherapy sessions were provided. For those no longer incarcerated, the adjacent hospital outpatient clinic was available for naltrexone treatment. Naltrexone has proved to be a completely effective opiate blocking agent with no major side effects in 691 patients over a 10-year period.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Controlled clinical study of naltrexone side effects comparing first-day doses and maintenance regimens.

In a controlled double-blind clinical study, 42 patients reported side effects and severity of side effects to naltrexone on three different first-day doses and maintenance dosage regimens. Initiating doses of 25, 100, and 150 mg were administered. The maintenance regimens involved 350 mg of naltrexone per week for 4 weeks with drug administration in Group A, five times weekly; in Group B, three times weekly; and in Group C, twice weekly. All three groups received identical doses for the last dosage administered each week. The first-day doses produced no significant quantitative difference in side effects. Overall, the three groups reported little difference in side effects. Nonetheless, the regimen with the least number of patients reporting side effects daily was that of Group B. In no case, regardless of dose or dosage regimen, did any patient have side effects of such a nature as to require termination of their participation in the study.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1977

Naltrexone and cyclazocine. A controlled treatment study.

The induction side effects of cyclazocine and naltrexone were compared in double-blind placebo-controlled studies involving 40 patients (20 for each drug). These studies were carried out with a twice-a-day dosage regimen. Naltrexone produced fewer side effects than cyclazocine. Naltrexone side effects fell to levels indistinguishable from those of placebo in the "induction after placebo" phase. In contrast, cyclazocine "induction after placebo" produced an even higher level of side effects than found in its induction. In no case was naltrexone discontinued because of side effects. On the other hand, three of 20 cyclazocine-treated patients discontinued the drug because of distressing side effects. No toxicity was noted with either agent. The controlled data reported supports the clinical impression that naltrexone produces fewer induction side effects than cyclazocine.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1976

Personality factors and drug effects in a controlled study of cyclazocine.

This paper investigated the relationship between measurable personality factors and level of effects shown to cyclazocine and placebo in a controlled study. An attempt also was made through case analysis to examine the association between dynamic aspects of personality and adverse drug effect. Hysteria scores on the MMPI were found to be related significantly to self-reported effects under both the drug and placebo conditions. Clinical observations were examined retrospectively for three cases with adverse reactions and cited to support a dynamic theory that associated drug reactivity to personality factors.

Adult↗