Studies of EN-1639A (Naltrexone): A New Narcotic Antagonist
RICHARD B. RESNICK M.D.1,
JAN VOLAVKA M.D.2,
ALFRED M. FREEDMAN M.D.3, , and
MURIEL THOMAS R.N.4
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, New York Medical College, 5 East 102nd St., New York, N.Y. 10029
2 Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, New York Medical College, 5 East 102nd St., New York, N.Y. 10029
3 Professor and Chairman, Department of Psychiatry, New York Medical College, 5 East 102nd St., New York, N.Y. 10029
4 Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, New York Medical College, 5 East 102nd St., New York, N.Y. 10029
The narcotic antagonist EN-1639A (naltrexone) was studied in 37 heroin addicts and found to be clinically useful, with a low incidence of side effects, lack of toxicity, high degree of acceptability to the patient, and capacity to antagonize the euphoric effects of heroin for up to 72 hours after a single oral dose. These findings provide a basis for expanding studies of the clinical efficacy of naltrexone in the treatment of opiate dependence.
