Trial of Naltrexone Skin Patch Proves Promising

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports success in a trial of a new delivery method for medicine that helps people end their alcohol and prescription drug abuse.  A new form of a skin patch has proven to be an effective way to deliver naltrexone to a person.

The new skin patch uses 50 tiny needles – each thinner than a human hair – to deliver naltrexone directly into a person’s blood stream. Naltrexone is a drug that is frequently used in alcohol rehab to reduce dependence. It has also been shown to be effective in treating people addicted to opiates such as OxyContin or heroin.

The patch allows the naltrexone to be delivered in a more controlled and steady dose than if a person takes a pill. The breakthrough might give drug rehab specialists another tool in helping people kick their abusive habits.