{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,7]],"date-time":"2026-10-07T13:42:33Z","timestamp":1791380553940,"version":"4.3.3"},"reference-count":28,"publisher":"MedWorks Media","issue":"2","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Psychopharmacol Bull"],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Purpose<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>We aimed to synthesize and provide an updated meta-analysis of the current data on extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) and oral naltrexone (NTX) for alcohol use disorder (AUD).<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A comprehensive database search was conducted and updated on October 1, 2025. This meta-analysis encompassed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies that compared XR-NTX and oral NTX in adults with AUD. Included studies reported outcomes on treatment persistence and healthcare utilization, specifically ED visits and inpatient hospitalizations during follow-up. Odds ratios (ORs) were computed using the Mantel-Haenszel random-effects model.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Out of 101 studies screened, seven studies (N = 42,268; n = 2,103 for XR-NTX, n = 40,165 for NTX) met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. Overall, treatment persistence was significantly higher with XR-NTX compared with oral NTX (OR = 1.94 [95% CI, 1.22\u20133.10]), with benefits observed at both three months (pooled OR = 2.24 [95% CI, 1.14\u20134.41], p = 0.019) and six months (OR = 1.59 [95% CI, 1.04\u20132.43], p = 0.032). No significant differences were observed in healthcare utilization, including all-cause ED visits (OR = 1.33 [95% CI, 0.93\u20131.90]) or all-cause inpatient admissions (OR = 0.84 [95% CI, 0.49\u20131.43]).<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This meta-analysis suggests higher treatment persistence among patients with AUD receiving XR-NTX versus oral NTX, underscoring formulation as a key factor in persistence and retention. However, alcohol-related healthcare utilization metrics, including ED visits and hospitalizations, showed no significant between-group differences. Further pragmatic trials accounting for patient preferences, sex-specific outcomes, and barriers to care accessibility are needed.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.64719\/pb.16596","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,11]],"date-time":"2026-03-11T20:16:27Z","timestamp":1773260187000},"page":"130-148","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Comparative Effectiveness of Naltrexone Formulations in Alcohol Use Disorder: An Updated Meta-Analysis"],"prefix":"10.64719","volume":"56","author":[{"given":"Nicolas A","family":"Nunez","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Hossam M","family":"Ali","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Leslie","family":"Hassett","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Balwinder","family":"Singh","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"54175","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,9]]},"reference":[{"key":"R1","unstructured":"Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ). 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Annual National Report. 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