On Thursday a favorable review was received by a drug that enables alcoholics kick their addiction from a panel of experts advising federal regulators. It was also noted by the panel that Vivitrol helps people addicted to opiods.

For enough evidence from a single clinical trial about Vivitrol’s effectiveness in helping people addicted to painkillers, the Food and Drug Administration panel voted 11 to 2.

Vivitrol was approved in 2006 and for treating alcohol dependency is a once-monthly injection. People who had recently detoxified from opioids were also helped from relapsing, researchers from drug maker Alkermes noticed.

Due to the drug being expensive, Vivitrol has never taken off as a treatment for alcoholism. It is being hoped that for helping people keep off of opiates there will be more of a market.

New use of Vivitrol being approved by the FDA stands hazy as it is not clearly known when it will happen. Panel’s recommendations are not necessarily followed by the FDA but it does so usually.

According to Leerink Swann Research Analyst Steve Yoo, because of its cost in 2010 Vivitrol's net sales were $20.2 million for fiscal. Depending on the drug winning wider approval, by 2015, sales could reach $125 million.