Table 1.

Summary of studies of the effects of naltrexone (NTX) on HPA-axis hormones

Study	Sample	Naltrexone Dosing	Biological Sample	HPA-Axis Hormones	Findings
Farren et al., 1999	Alcohol dependent	Single dose; 0, 25, 50, and 100 mg	Blood	Cortisol ACTH	↑ cortisol and ACTH levels on NTX compared to placebo; No NTX dose effects on HPA-axis
Kiefer et al., 2006	Alcohol dependent	50 mg/day, for 12 weeks	Blood	Cortisol ACTH	↑ cortisol and ACTH levels on NTX and acamprosate groups versus placebo; ↑ cortisol and ACTH during treatment was associated with ↓ risk of relapse
King et al., 2002	Healthy subjects	Single dose; 50 mg	Blood	Cortisol ACTH	↑ cortisol and ACTH levels on NTX compared to placebo; ↑ cortisol and ACTH response to NTX among FH+ individuals
O’Malley et al., 1999	Alcohol dependent	50 mg/day, for 6 days	Blood	Cortisol ACTH	↑ cortisol and ACTH levels on NTX compared to placebo; Negative correlation between cortisol level and alcohol craving
Ooteman et al., 2007	Alcohol dependent(abstinent)	50 mg/day, for 3 weeks	Saliva	Cortisol	No difference between NTX, acamprosate or placebo on cortisol levels at baseline and after cue-exposure
Volavka et al., 1979	Healthy men	Single dose; 50 mg	Blood	Cortisol ACTH	↑ cortisol levels on NTX compared to placebo No significant differences in ACTH
Present Study	Hazardous drinkers	50 mg/day, for 3 days	Blood	Cortisol	↑ cortisol levels on NTX compared to placebo Negative correlation between cortisol and alcohol’s reinforcing effects ↓ cortisol following alcohol infusion compared to sober baseline