The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7188 p311-320
9 March 2002

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Rapid detox with naltrexone risky

Ultrarapid opioid detoxification using subcutaneous naltrexone pellets is associated with great risks, say American researchers. They report six case studies of complications to treatment, including pulmonary oedema, drug toxicity, variceal rupture, aspiration pneumonia and death.

The researchers conclude that further studies should be conducted to assess the safety of this practice (Academic Emergency Medicine 2002;9:63).