Treating alcoholism with a monthly shot

A monthly shot of the prescription drug naltrexone -- plus counseling -- could help reduce heavy drinking in people with alcoholism.

That's according to a new study in the April 6 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association. The study was funded by Alkermes Inc., which makes naltrexone.

Naltrexone is already used to treat alcoholism. The monthly shot might be a more convenient approach than current daily oral doses, say the researchers, some of whom are Alkermes employees.

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