6β-Naltrexol binds to the opioid receptors with affinity (Ki) values of 2.12 nM for the μ-opioid receptor (MOR), 7.24 nM for the κ-opioid receptor (KOR), and 213 nM for the δ-opioid receptor (DOR).[5] Hence, 6β-naltrexol shows 3.5-fold selectivity for the MOR over the KOR and 100-fold selectivity for the MOR over the DOR.[5] Relative to naltrexone, 6β-naltrexol has about half the affinity for the MOR.[1] In contrast to naltrexone, 6β-naltrexol is a neutral antagonist of the MOR (as opposed to an inverse agonist) and can antagonize the actions of both agonists and inverse agonists at the receptor.[7]
6β-Naltrexol is said to have very limited capacity to cross the blood–brain barrier.[8] However, 6β-naltrexol is still able to cross into the brain and produce central opioid receptor antagonism at sufficient levels.[5] In animal studies, 6β-naltrexol showed about 10-fold separation in potency between peripheral and central opioid antagonism, whereas naltrexone showed no separation.[5] Because it is a MOR neutral antagonist and hence does not reduce basal MOR signaling, 6β-naltrexol shows much lower potential for producing opioid withdrawal symptoms than naltrexone at doses achieving similar central opioid blockade in animal studies.[5][7] Due to the very high levels of 6β-naltrexol that occur during naltrexone therapy, 6β-naltrexol may contribute to the central opioid receptor antagonism of naltrexone.[9]
^Gonzalez JP, Brogden RN (March 1988). "Naltrexone. A review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties and therapeutic efficacy in the management of opioid dependence". Drugs. 35 (3): 192–213. doi:10.2165/00003495-198835030-00002. PMID2836152. S2CID195697174.