Naltrexone Implants vs. MMT Among Inmates in the Norwegian Correctional Services

Summary

The purpose of this clinical trial is to study the efficacy and safety of naltrexone implants as a relapse prevention for opiate addicted inmates about to be released from prison. The experimental group is compared with a control group that commences methadone maintenance treatment before release. The hypothesises are that quality of life and criminal behaviour improve significantly in both groups compared to the month before incarceration. The experimental group is going to have significant less days with opioid use compared to the MMT group. We hypothesize furthermore that the implants can prevent death related to opiate overdose up to 6 months after commenced treatment.

Timeline

Start

2005-05

Primary completion

2008-02

Completion

2008-12

Publications

• Background Hulse GK, Arnold-Reed DE, O'Neil G, Chan CT, Hansson RC. Achieving long-term continuous blood naltrexone and 6-beta-naltrexol coverage following sequential naltrexone implants. Addict Biol. 2004 Mar;9(1):67-72. doi: 10.1080/13556210410001674112.
• Background Hulse GK, Arnold-Reed DE, O'Neil G, Chan CT, Hansson R, O'Neil P. Blood naltrexone and 6-beta-naltrexol levels following naltrexone implant: comparing two naltrexone implants. Addict Biol. 2004 Mar;9(1):59-65. doi: 10.1080/13556210410001674103.
• Background Hulse GK, Tait RJ, Comer SD, Sullivan MA, Jacobs IG, Arnold-Reed D. Reducing hospital presentations for opioid overdose in patients treated with sustained release naltrexone implants. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2005 Sep 1;79(3):351-7. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2005.02.009.
• Background Olsen L, Christophersen AS, Frogopsahl G, Waal H, Morland J. Plasma concentrations during naltrexone implant treatment of opiate-dependent patients. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2004 Aug;58(2):219-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2004.02122.x.
• Background Bachs L, Waal H. [Naltrexone in the treatment of addiction]. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2003 Jun 12;123(12):1665-7. Norwegian.
• Background Waal H, Christophersen AS, Frogopsahl G, Olsen LH, Morland J. [Naltrexone implants--a pilot project]. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2003 Jun 12;123(12):1660-1. Norwegian.
• Kornor H, Lobmaier PPK, Kunoe N. Sustained-release naltrexone for opioid dependence. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2025 May 9;5(5):CD006140. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006140.pub3.
• Kunoe N, Lobmaier P, Vederhus JK, Hjerkinn B, Gossop M, Hegstad S, Kristensen O, Waal H. Challenges to antagonist blockade during sustained-release naltrexone treatment. Addiction. 2010 Sep;105(9):1633-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03031.x.

Drugs

Indications