naltrexone
/nælˈtrɛksoʊn/
Definition
A medication used to treat alcohol use disorder by reducing cravings for alcohol.
Etymology
The name is a portmanteau derived from the chemical components 'n-allyl' and 'oxymorphone'. It was coined as a pharmaceutical drug name to describe this specific opioid antagonist that occupies receptors in the brain to block the reinforcing effects of substances.
In the news
In the article, Penn Medicine integrated nudges into their health system to prompt emergency department providers to prescribe naltrexone to patients struggling with alcohol use. This initiative resulted in a measurable increase in prescriptions for the medication, highlighting its potential for treating alcohol-related issues in clinical settings.
12 ideas for tackling the U.S. alcohol epidemic
Read the full article ↗STAT