Randomised double-blind comparison of lofexidine and methadone in the in-patient treatment of opiate withdrawal

TY - JOUR

T1 - Randomised double-blind comparison of lofexidine and methadone in the in-patient treatment of opiate withdrawal

AU - Bearn, J

AU - Gossop, M

AU - Strang, J

PY - 1996/12/2

Y1 - 1996/12/2

N2 - This study compares the clinical responses to methadone and lofexidine in the treatment of opiate withdrawal in 86 polydrug-abusing opiate addicts, using a randomised double-blind study design. The lofexidine treatment group experienced more severe symptoms from day 3 to 7 and again on day 10 (the last day of treatment), but thereafter both groups showed a similar progressive symptom decline. There was no significant difference in rates of treatment completion. Both treatments had similar effects on blood pressure. Lofexidine is broadly clinically equivalent to methadone, and appears to be a non-opiate treatment of opiate withdrawal without serious limiting hypotensive side effects.

AB - This study compares the clinical responses to methadone and lofexidine in the treatment of opiate withdrawal in 86 polydrug-abusing opiate addicts, using a randomised double-blind study design. The lofexidine treatment group experienced more severe symptoms from day 3 to 7 and again on day 10 (the last day of treatment), but thereafter both groups showed a similar progressive symptom decline. There was no significant difference in rates of treatment completion. Both treatments had similar effects on blood pressure. Lofexidine is broadly clinically equivalent to methadone, and appears to be a non-opiate treatment of opiate withdrawal without serious limiting hypotensive side effects.

KW - polydrug abusers

KW - opiate withdrawal

KW - methadone

KW - lofexidine

KW - CLONIDINE

KW - SYMPTOMS

U2 - 10.1016/S0376-8716(96)01289-6

DO - 10.1016/S0376-8716(96)01289-6

M3 - Article

SN - 0376-8716

VL - 43

SP - 87

EP - 91

JO - Drug and alcohol dependence

JF - Drug and alcohol dependence

IS - 1-2

ER -