Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Aim
The safety and efficacy of nalmefene in Japanese patients with high or very high World Health Organization drinking risk level of alcohol dependence were assessed in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 (lead-in) study. Here, the long-term safety and efficacy of nalmefene in an open-label extension of the lead-in study are presented.Methods
Patients who completed the 24-week lead-in study were eligible for the extension study, where they were treated with nalmefene 20 mg as needed for 24 weeks. The long-term safety and efficacy of nalmefene 20 mg during the total 48-week period were evaluated. Treatment-emergent adverse events during the study period were recorded and change from baseline in the number of heavy drinking days and total alcohol consumption were calculated.Results
Overall, long-term nalmefene 20 mg was well tolerated; the main treatment-emergent adverse events reported in ≥5% of patients included nasopharyngitis (37.2%), nausea (36.5%), somnolence (21.2%), dizziness (16.8%), malaise (14.6%), and vomiting (12.4%). The number of heavy drinking days and total alcohol consumption decreased from baseline to 48 weeks (mixed model for repeated measures, least squares mean ± standard error, -15.09 ± 0.77 days/month and -53.20 ± 2.29 g/day, respectively) during the study.Conclusion
This long-term evaluation in Japanese patients with high or very high drinking risk levels of alcohol dependence indicated that nalmefene was safe, well tolerated, and efficacious.
SUBMITTER: Higuchi S
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7496902 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Higuchi Susumu S Takahashi Masayoshi M Murai Yoshiyuki Y Tsuneyoshi Kana K Nakamura Izuru I Meulien Didier D Miyata Hisatsugu H
Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences 20200527 8
<h4>Aim</h4>The safety and efficacy of nalmefene in Japanese patients with high or very high World Health Organization drinking risk level of alcohol dependence were assessed in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 (lead-in) study. Here, the long-term safety and efficacy of nalmefene in an open-label extension of the lead-in study are presented.<h4>Methods</h4>Patients who completed the 24-week lead-in study were eligible for the extension study, where they were t ...[more]