Cephalon alcoholism drug ‘an important and effective treatment option’

Cephalon has announced that its alcoholism drug, Vivitrol (naltrexone for extended- release injectable suspension) has been recommended as a treatment for alcohol dependence by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a US public health agency.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has recently released an updated version of its publication aimed at assisting doctors treating those with alcohol dependence – Helping Patients Who Drink Too Much: A Clinician’s Guide.

Information regarding Vivitrol, a compound approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in April last year, has been included in the latest version of the guide.

David Gastfriend, vice-president of medical affairs at Alkermes, said: “We are pleased that these government organisations have formally recognized Vivitrol, the first and only once-monthly injectable medication for the treatment of alcohol dependence, as an important and effective treatment option in their recent publications.”

He added that the firm encouraged addiction specialists, primary care workers and other healthcare professionals to use this information when treating those with alcoholism.

In November 2006, Cephalon announced its financial figures for the third quarter of the 2006 fiscal year, reporting that the development of the market for Vivitrol had contributed to a good positioning of the firm for future growth.