VIVITROL Efficacy for Opioid Dependence

VIVITROL–Clinically proven to prevent relapse to opioid dependence, following detoxification7†

VIVITROL blocks the subjective effects of opioids. Complete abstinence was sustained by 36% of patients treated with VIVITROL compared with 23% of patients treated with placebo from weeks 5-24.†7

VIVITROL has shown significant results in clinical studies for prevention to replace to opioid dependence after opioid detoxification.

†The efficacy of VIVITROL in the treatment of opioid dependence was evaluated in a 24 week, placebo-controlled, multi-center, double-blind, randomized trial of opioid-dependent (DSM-IV) outpatients, who were completing or had recently completed detoxification. Subjects were treated with an injection every 4 weeks of VIVITROL 380 mg or placebo. Oral naltrexone was not administered prior to the initial or subsequent injections of study medication. Standardized, manual-based psychosocial support was provided on a biweekly basis to all subjects in addition to medication.

Unintended precipitation of opioid withdrawal

To prevent occurrence of an acute abstinence syndrome (withdrawal) in patients dependent on opioids, or exacerbation of a preexisting subclinical abstinence syndrome:

  • Patients, including those treated for alcohol dependence, must be opioid free for a minimum of 7-10 days before starting VIVITROL treatment
  • Patients must be free of all opioid-containing medications, including medications used to treat opioid dependence (eg, methadone, Suboxone® [buprenorphine and naloxone] Sublingual Film [Clll], Subutex® [buprenorphine HCI sublingual tablets])

Patients treated for alcohol dependence with VIVITROL should be assessed for underlying opioid dependence and for any recent use of opioids prior to initiation of treatment with VIVITROL. Precipitated opioid withdrawal has been observed in alcohol-dependent patients in circumstances where the prescriber had been unaware of the additional use of opioids or dependence on opioids.

Because the absence of an opioid drug in the urine is often not sufficient proof that a patient is opioid free:

  • A naloxone challenge test should be employed if the prescribing physician feels there is risk of precipitating a withdrawal reaction following administration of VIVITROL
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
FOR VIVITROL
WARNING: HEPATOTOXICITY

Naltrexone has the capacity to cause hepatocellular injury when given in excessive doses.

Naltrexone is contraindicated in acute hepatitis or liver failure, and its use in patients with active liver disease must be carefully considered in light of its hepatotoxic effects.

The margin of separation between the apparently safe dose of naltrexone and the dose causing hepatic injury appears to be only five-fold or less. VIVITROL does not appear to be a hepatotoxin at the recommended doses.

Patients should be warned of the risk of hepatic injury and advised to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms of acute hepatitis. Use of VIVITROL should be discontinued in the event of symptoms and/or signs of acute hepatitis.

SEE MORE SAFETY information below

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ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR VIVITROL®
(naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension) 380mg/vial

INDICATIONS

Treatment with VIVITROL should be part of a comprehensive management program that includes psychosocial support. Opioid-dependent patients, including those being treated for alcohol dependence, must be opioid-free at the time of initial VIVITROL administration. VIVITROL is indicated for the treatment of alcohol dependence in patients who are able to abstain from alcohol in an outpatient setting prior to initiation of treatment with VIVITROL. Patients should not be actively drinking at the time of initial VIVITROL administration. VIVITROL is also indicated for the prevention of relapse to opioid dependence, following opioid detoxification.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

VIVITROL is contraindicated in patients with acute hepatitis or liver failure, patients receiving opioid analgesics, patients with current physiologic opioid dependence, patients in acute opioid withdrawal, any individual who has failed the naloxone challenge test or has a positive urine screen for opioids, and in patients who have previously exhibited hypersensitivity to naltrexone, polylactide-co-glycolide (PLG), carboxymethylcellulose or any other components of the diluent.

WARNINGS/PRECAUTIONS

VIVITROL is administered as an intramuscular (IM) gluteal injection. Inadvertent subcutaneous injection of VIVITROL may increase the likelihood of severe injection site reactions. VIVITROL must be injected using one of the customized needles provided in the carton. Because needle length may not be adequate due to body habitus, each patient should be assessed prior to each injection to assure that needle length is adequate for IM administration. VIVITROL injections may be followed by pain, tenderness, induration, swelling, erythema, bruising or pruritus; however, in some cases injection site reactions may be very severe. Injection site reactions not improving may require prompt medical attention, including in some cases surgical intervention. Consider the diagnosis of eosinophilic pneumonia if patients develop progressive dyspnea and hypoxemia. Patients should be warned of the risk of hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis. Opioid-dependent patients including those being treated for alcohol dependence, must be opioid-free for a minimum of 7-10 days before VIVITROL treatment. Attempts to overcome opioid blockade due to VIVITROL may result in a fatal overdose. After opioid detoxification, patients are likely to have reduced tolerance to opioids. Use of lower doses of opioids after VIVITROL is discontinued, at the end of a dosing interval or after missing a dose could result in life threatening opioid intoxication. Alcohol- and opioid-dependent patients, including those taking VIVITROL, should be monitored for the development of depression or suicidal thoughts. As with any IM injection, VIVITROL should be administered with caution to patients with thrombocytopenia or any coagulation disorder. In an emergency situation in patients receiving VIVITROL, suggestions for pain management include regional analgesia or use of non-opioid analgesics. Patients requiring reversal of the VIVITROL blockade for pain management should be monitored by appropriately trained personnel in a setting equipped for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Caution is recommended in administering VIVITROL to patients with moderate to severe renal impairment.

ADVERSE EVENTS

The adverse events seen most frequently in association with VIVITROL therapy for alcohol dependence include nausea, vomiting, injection site reactions (including induration, pruritus, nodules and swelling), muscle cramps, dizziness or syncope, somnolence or sedation, anorexia, decreased appetite or other appetite disorders. The adverse events seen most frequently in association with VIVITROL in opioid-dependent patients include hepatic enzyme abnormalities, injection site pain, nasopharyngitis, insomnia, and toothache.

VIVITROL [full prescribing information]. Waltham, MA: Alkermes, Inc; rev October 2010.

VIV-001058