Vivitrol cuts relapse risk in opioid addicts

It's been called a magic shot or miracle drug for opioid addiction. The medication, a once-monthly injection called Vivitrol, appears to cut the risk of relapse in half, at least while people get the shots. The new study was conducted in an especially vulnerable group: opioid addicts who had recently been released from prison. But Collins says "it adds another powerful option" for addicts that certainly could be used in other treatment settings, too.
About 2.6 million people in the U.S. are addicted to opioids, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Since 2001, the number of people who have fatally overdosed on prescription opioids has more than tripled, and the number of people who have died from heroin overdoses has increased more than 600%. Vivitrol, a long-acting version of the medication naltrexone, isn't without side effects. And it's expensive. Although the drug has been FDA approved to treat opioid addiction since 2010, it hasn't been widely used. Collins said he thought cost was the biggest reason.
The Vivitrol shots given in the study were donated by Alkermes, the company that makes the drug. Alkermes also provided grant support to some of the study investigators, including Lee. Lee said Medicaid covers the cost after doctors get advance permission to prescribe it, called a prior authorization. About two-thirds of the 2.3 million prisoners in the U.S. are addicted to drugs or alcohol, and one-quarter of all prisoners are addicted to opioids like heroin or oxycodone.
Studies show that about three-quarters of jailed addicts will relapse within 3 months of their release. Even when they were referred to medication-assisted treatments with the drugs methadone or buprenorphine (Suboxone) -- treatments that have been proven to help people stay clean -- one study found only 8% followed through and got help.

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Vivitrol cuts relapse risk in opioid addicts

Its been called a magic shot or miracle drug for opioid addiction. The medication, a once-monthly injection called Vivitrol, appears to cut the risk of relapse in half, at least while people get the shots. The new study was conducted in an especially vulnerable group: opioid addicts who had recently been released from prison. But Collins says it adds another powerful option for addicts that certainly could be used in other treatment settings, too. About 2.6 million people in the U.S. are addicted to opioids, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Since 2001, the number of people who have fatally overdosed on prescription opioids has more than tripled, and the number of people who have died from heroin overdoses has increased more than 600%. Vivitrol, a long-acting version of the medication naltrexone, isnt without side effects. And its expensive. Although the drug has been FDA approved to treat opioid addiction since 2010, it hasnt been widely used. Collins said he thought cost was the biggest reason. The Vivitrol shots given in the study were donated by Alkermes, the company that makes the drug. Alkermes also provided grant support to some of the study investigators, including Lee. Lee said Medicaid covers the cost after doctors get advance permission to prescribe it, called a prior authorization. About two-thirds of the 2.3 million prisoners in the U.S. are addicted to drugs or alcohol, and one-quarter of all prisoners are addicted to opioids like heroin or oxycodone. Studies show that about three-quarters of jailed addicts will relapse within 3 months of their release. Even when they were referred to medication-assisted treatments with the drugs methadone or buprenorphine (Suboxone) -- treatments that have been proven to help people stay clean -- one study found only 8% followed through and got help. Health News Today