Stigma and ART initiation among people with HIV and a lifetime history of illicit drug use in Saint-Petersburg, Russia-A prospective cohort analysis.

Background: HIV-positive people who inject drugs (PWID) are stigmatized and face more challenges in accessing ART. The natural course of stigma and its role on ART initiation in this population is unclear. We examined 1] whether HIV stigma changes over time and 2] whether HIV and substance use stigma are associated with ART initiation in a prospective cohort of HIV-positive PWID in St.

Slow-release naltrexone implant versus oral naltrexone for improving treatment outcomes in people with HIV who are addicted to opioids: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial.

Background: Untreated opioid addiction in people with HIV is associated with poor HIV treatment outcomes. Slow-release, long-acting, implantable naltrexone might improve these outcomes. Here, we present results of a study aimed to test this hypothesis.

[Anhedonia, depression, anxiety, and craving in opioid dependent patients stabilized on oral naltrexone or naltrexone implant].

Aim: To assess the relationship between long-term naltrexone treatment and anxiety, depression and craving in opioid dependent individuals.

Material And Methods: Opioid dependent patients (n=306) were enrolled in a three cell (102ss/cell) randomized, double blind, double dummy, placebo-controlled 6-month trial comparing extended release implantable naltrexone with oral naltrexone and placebo (oral and implant). Monthly assessments of affective responses used a Visual Analog Scale for opioid craving, the Beck Depression Inventory, Spielberger Anxiety Inventory, and the Ferguson and Chapman Anhedonia Scales.

Anhedonia, depression, anxiety, and craving in opiate dependent patients stabilized on oral naltrexone or an extended release naltrexone implant.

Background: Naltrexone is a μ-opioid receptor antagonist that blocks opioid effects. Craving, depression, anxiety, and anhedonia are common among opioid dependent individuals and concerns have been raised that naltrexone increases them due to blocking endogenous opioids. Here, we present data that address these concerns.

[A pharmacogenetic analysis of dopaminergic and opioidergic genes in opioid addicts treated with the combination of naltrexone and guanfacine].

Aim: To evaluate an effect of opioid receptor and dopamine system gene polymorphisms on the efficacy of combined treatment with oral naltrexone and guanfacine in a randomized double blinded double dummy placebo controlled clinical trial.

Material And Methods: Three hundred and one patients with opioid dependence were randomized into 4 treatment groups: naltrexone 50 mg/day + guanfacine 1 mg/day (N+G); naltrexone + placebo guanfacine (N+GP); placebo naltrexone + guanfacine (NP+G); double placebo (NP+GP). The primary outcome was treatment retention.

[A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study of the efficacy of the combined treatment with naltrexone and guanfacine for relapse prevention in opiate dependence].

Objective: Authors studied the effect of α-2-adrenoreceptor agonist guanfacine on replace prevention in opiate addicts.

Material And Methods: Three hundred and one recently detoxified opiate addicts were randomized under the double-blind double-dummy conditions into one of four treatment groups: naltrexone 50 mg/day+guanfacine 1 mg/day (N+G), naltrexone+guanfacine placebo (N+GP), naltrexone placebo+guanfacine (NP+G), and double placebo (NP+GP). The primary outcome was retention in treatment.

[Stabilization of remission in patients with opioid dependence with naltrexone implant: a pharmacogenetic approach].

Aim: To evaluate the effect of opioid receptor genes and dopamine system genes polymorphisms on treatment outcomes of opioid dependence with implantable and oral naltrexone.

Material And Methods: Authors carried out a randomized double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Three hundred and six patients with opioid dependence were randomized into 3 equal treatment groups.

Naltrexone with or without guanfacine for preventing relapse to opiate addiction in St.-Petersburg, Russia.

Background: Stress is a key precipitant to discontinuing naltrexone and relapsing to opiate abuse. Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like guanfacine may reduce stress induced craving and have reduced opiate relapse in small clinical trials.

Methods: This randomized, double blind double dummy placebo-controlled 6-month trial tested oral naltrexone with or without guanfacine for reducing stress and preventing opiate relapse.

Randomized trial of long-acting sustained-release naltrexone implant vs oral naltrexone or placebo for preventing relapse to opioid dependence.

CONTEXT Sustained-release naltrexone implants may improve outcomes of nonagonist treatment of opioid addiction. OBJECTIVE To compare outcomes of naltrexone implants, oral naltrexone hydrochloride, and nonmedication treatment. DESIGN Six-month double-blind, double-dummy, randomized trial.