title: Baclofen-assisted detoxification from opiates. A pilot study.
abstract: In an open label pilot study, five opiate-dependent patients underwent baclofen-assisted opiate detoxification after abrupt discontinuation of methadone. Patients received baclofen in oral doses up to 80 mg/day, and all patients subjectively reported some reduction in discomfort. However, 3 of 5 (60%) patients could not complete detoxification with baclofen, primarily because of insufficient suppression of vomiting, myalgias, and headache. These patients successfully completed their detoxification with clonidine. These findings suggest that, in the dose range studied, baclofen is of limited use as a primary treatment for opiate dependence, although adjunctive roles for this medication in detoxification should be explored.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Service, Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven, CT 06516.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Krystal
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: McDougle
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Kosten
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Aghajanian
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Charney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001418:Baclofen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D001418:Baclofen; D008691:Methadone