The invention relates to the use of naltrexone and naloxone analogs, which a re neutral antagonists at the .mu. opioid receptor, for the treatment of drug dependency in a drug-dependent individual. Suprisingly, it has been found th at administration of a therapeutically effect amount of the naloxone or naltrexone analogs described herein for the treatment of a drug dependency, can result in reduction of undesirable side effects resulting from current treatments using naloxone and naltrexone. For example, the treatment describ ed herein can result in a reduction in the withdrawal symptoms and aversion encountered in the use of naloxone and naltrexone in the treatment of drug dependency. In addition, the naltrexone and naloxone analogs of the inventio n can be used for the treatment of pain in an individual in need thereof by modulating opioid pain treatment using neutral antagonists, for example, reversing respiratory depression without causing other adverse effects. In addition, during chronic use of opioid drugs for pain therapy, neutral antagonists can be used to diminish constipation peripherally without effecting the central analgesic effects.
NEUTRAL ANTAGONISTS AND USE THEREOF IN TREATING DRUG ABUSE