A double-blind randomized placebo controlled trial of lofexidine in alcohol withdrawal: lofexidine is not a useful adjunct to chlordiazepoxide.

TY - JOUR

T1 - A double-blind randomized placebo controlled trial of lofexidine in alcohol withdrawal: lofexidine is not a useful adjunct to chlordiazepoxide.

AU - Keaney, F

AU - Strang, J

AU - Gossop, M

AU - Marshall, J

AU - Farrell, M

AU - Walsh, S

AU - Hahn, B

AU - Gonzalez, A

PY - 2001

Y1 - 2001

N2 - Lofexidine is an alpha-adrenoceptor agonist which has proved useful in opiate withdrawal and which, through its attenuation of noradrenergic activity, might be a valuable adjunct in the management of alcohol withdrawal. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical effectiveness and patient retention with adjunctive lofexidine versus placebo in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal under chlordiazepoxide cover. This was done in a prospective double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial with 72 alcohol-dependent adults referred and admitted for in-patient alcohol detoxification. The adjunctive lofexidine group experienced significantly more severe withdrawal symptoms, greater hypotensive problems, more adverse effects, and no better rates of retention in treatment. Lofexidine provides no discernible benefit as an adjunctive medication (to chlordiazepoxide) in alcohol detoxification and, on the basis of our study, appears to be contra-indicated.

AB - Lofexidine is an alpha-adrenoceptor agonist which has proved useful in opiate withdrawal and which, through its attenuation of noradrenergic activity, might be a valuable adjunct in the management of alcohol withdrawal. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical effectiveness and patient retention with adjunctive lofexidine versus placebo in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal under chlordiazepoxide cover. This was done in a prospective double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial with 72 alcohol-dependent adults referred and admitted for in-patient alcohol detoxification. The adjunctive lofexidine group experienced significantly more severe withdrawal symptoms, greater hypotensive problems, more adverse effects, and no better rates of retention in treatment. Lofexidine provides no discernible benefit as an adjunctive medication (to chlordiazepoxide) in alcohol detoxification and, on the basis of our study, appears to be contra-indicated.

U2 - 10.1093/alcalc/36.5.426

DO - 10.1093/alcalc/36.5.426

M3 - Article

SN - 1464-3502

VL - 36

SP - 426

EP - 430

JO - Alcohol and Alcoholism

JF - Alcohol and Alcoholism

IS - 5

ER -