PHARMACOLOGY AND PHARMACY / SYSTEMATIC REVIEW/META-ANALYSIS
Safety and efficacy of naltrexone for weight loss
in adult patients – a systematic review
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1
Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
2
Department of Human Philosophy and Psychology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
Submission date: 2018-03-26
Final revision date: 2018-07-08
Acceptance date: 2018-07-22
Online publication date: 2020-09-10
Publication date: 2021-07-16
Arch Med Sci 2021;17(4):940-953
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ABSTRACT
Introduction:
This is a report of a systematic review of the safety and efficacy of naltrexone or naltrexone/bupropion on weigh
Material and Methods:
The databases Medline, PubMed, and Embase as
well as the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register for randomized controlled trials were searched for studies published from January 1966 to January 2018.
A meta-analysis, randomised controlled trials, controlled trials, uncontrolled
trials, cohort studies and open-label studies were analysed.
Results:
Of 191 articles, 14 fulfilled the inclusion criteria: 1 meta-analysis,
10 randomized controlled trials, and 3 studies without randomization were
found. In these studies, the efficacy and safety of naltrexone/bupropion
in obesity were analysed. In the majority of these studies, patients with
at least 5% or 10% weight loss, as a primary outcome, were investigated.
Generally, naltrexone/bupropion treatment can be a promising therapy for
obese patients, including when combined with mental health treatment.
Conclusions:
Based on these studies, it can be said that naltrexone/bupropion treatment is effective in the weight loss of overweight subjects. The naltrexone/bupropion treatment was well tolerated by the patients, and side
effects were rarely reported.