Vivitrol, a monthly injection of naltrexone that blocks the effects of heroin and similar drugs, costs about $1,100 per shot, but it is covered by Medicaid in Pennsylvania, as well as most managed-care plans. Vivitrol's manufacturer, Alkermes, also offers a discount of up to $500 per month for eligible patients.
More information is available at vivitrol.com/SupportResources/FindProvider, or 800-848- 4876. Here are some area doctors that are treating addiction with Vivitrol:
* Charles O'Brien Center, University of Pennsylvania Health System: 215-746-5900
* Richard DiMonte, Media: 610-566-1881
* Joseph Volpicelli, Plymouth Meeting: 484-351-8031
* Elizabeth Drew, Doylestown: 215-345-5254
* Alexander Fine, Northeast Philadelphia: 215-744-5505
Daniel Langleben and other doctors at the University of Pennsylvania Treatment Research Center are conducting two research studies involving Vivitrol to determine how the brain responds to drug-related images and whether that response can be used to predict success rates in drug treatment.
Participants receive free Vivitrol injections and psychotherapy and are paid for their time. Call 215-222-3200, ext. 177 or 172.
Contact William Bender at benderw@phillynews.com or 215-854-5255. Follow him on Twitter @wbender99. Read his blog at philly.com/DailyDelco.
