Review: there is insufficient evidence for naltrexone maintenance treatment in opioid dependence.

Study selection Studies were selected using Cochrane Collaboration criteria. Randomised controlled trials or controlled clinical trials published in English, German or Italian between 1973 and February 2002 were eligible if they compared naltrexone maintenance treatment after opiate detoxification with placebo, pharmacological or behavioural interventions. The 11 studies included were heterogeneous. They included 707 inpatients and outpatients, mostly male. Oral naltrexone varied from daily to twiceweekly and doses ranged from 150 mg to 350 mg weekly. Treatment duration ranged from 10 days to 1 year.