Developmental Considerations for the Use of Naltrexone in Children and Adolescents.

Creator(s)

Stephani L. Stancil, Children's Mercy Kansas CityFollow
Susan M. Abdel-Rahman, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Jonathan B. Wagner, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2021

Identifier

DOI: 10.5863/1551-6776-26.7.675; PMCID: PMC8475793

Abstract

Naltrexone (NTX) is a well-tolerated drug with a wide safety margin and mechanism of action that affords use across a wide variety of indications in adults and children. By antagonizing the opioid reward system, NTX can modulate behaviors that involve compulsivity or impulsivity, such as substance use, obesity, and eating disorders. Evidence regarding the disposition and efficacy of NTX is mainly derived from adult studies of substance use disorders and considerable variability exists. Developmental changes, plausible disease-specific alterations and genetic polymorphisms in NTX disposition, and pharmacodynamic pathways should be taken into consideration when optimizing the use of NTX in the pediatric population. This review highlights the current state of the evidence and gaps in knowledge regarding NTX to facilitate evidence-based pharmacotherapy of mental health conditions, for which few pharmacologic options exist.

Journal Title

J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther

Volume

26

Issue

7

First Page

675

Last Page

695

Keywords

adolescent; disposition; naltrexone; ontogeny; pediatric; psychopharmacology; substance use

Recommended Citation

Stancil SL, Abdel-Rahman S, Wagner J. Developmental Considerations for the Use of Naltrexone in Children and Adolescents. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther. 2021;26(7):675-695. doi:10.5863/1551-6776-26.7.675