Vivitrol Approved for Treatment of Opioid Addictions
Opioid addictions have been around for generations, yet not everyone knows how best to treat them. According to a recent Seer Press report, Vivitrol has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the treatment of opioid dependence.
Often used as a drug in the detox process, Vivitrol can now be given by a primary care physician through an injection once a month. Vivitrol is a variant of naltrexone (ReVia) and is now in a class with methadone and buprenorphine as drug-based treatment effective in the treatment of addiction.
The approval of this drug in the treatment of addiction is considered to be a significant advancement in the treatment of addictions. As opioid addictions can have devastating effects on a person and their family, any proven method for treatment is worth considering.
In a study conducted by the American Psychological Association, researchers determined that as many as 90 percent of patients who had taken Vivitrol returned negative opioid urine tests over the court of six months. By comparison, only 35 percent of those on placebos registered a negative result while taking the drug.
According to pharmaceutical firm, Alkermes, Vivitrol is used every year by 10,000 patients for alcohol detox. The FDA approved this method of treatment in 2006. The drug has now been approved in opioid addiction and holds considerable promise for those seeking relief.