Chronic naltrexone suppresses platelet aggregation induced by adrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine in former heroin addicts

Naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist, is used as an adjunct in the treatment of opiate addiction. In former heroin addicts, long-term treatment with naltrexone (350 mg/week for 5 months) resulted in suppression of adrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced platelet aggregation. The resul...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of neural transmission Vol. 73; no. 2; p. 157
Main Authors García-Sevilla, J A, Ulibarri, I, Giralt, M T, Areso, P, Oliveros, R G, Gutiérrez, M
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Austria 01.06.1988
Subjects
Adult
Epinephrine - pharmacology
Female
Heroin Dependence - blood
Heroin Dependence - rehabilitation
Humans
Male
Naltrexone - therapeutic use
Platelet Aggregation - drug effects
Reference Values
Serotonin - pharmacology
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Summary:Naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist, is used as an adjunct in the treatment of opiate addiction. In former heroin addicts, long-term treatment with naltrexone (350 mg/week for 5 months) resulted in suppression of adrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced platelet aggregation. The results demonstrate that sustained blockade of opioid receptors can impair the functional expression of alpha 2-adrenoceptors and 5-HT2 receptors in human platelets. These findings may have negative clinical implications in the treatment of opiate addiction with naltrexone.
DOI:10.1007/BF01243386