Treatment of cocaine dependence in methadone maintenance clients: a pilot study comparing the efficacy of desipramine and amantadine.
We conducted a pilot study (N = 22) comparing the efficacy of desipramine and amantadine for treatment of cocaine dependence in methadone maintenance clients. The study which lasted 12 weeks, was double-blind, randomly assigned, and placebo-controlled. Subjects met DSM-III-R criteria for active cocaine dependence. All three groups' cocaine use, craving, and depressive symptoms declined significantly, but intergroup differences were not significant. Clients receiving desipramine were significantly more likely to remain in treatment and to be cocaine free at study completion. The results emphasize the importance of delivering comprehensive services to the cocaine user in methadone treatment. Further evaluations of these two medications as adjuncts in the treatment of cocaine dependence are needed.
Kolar
A F
AF
Addiction Research Center, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, Maryland.
Brown
B S
BS
Weddington
W W
WW
Haertzen
C C
CC
Michaelson
B S
BS
Jaffe
J H
JH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000547:Amantadine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015142:Baltimore; D003042:Cocaine; D003891:Desipramine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010919:Placebos; D012107:Research Design; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014481:United States
D010919:Placebos; D000547:Amantadine; D003042:Cocaine; D003891:Desipramine; D008691:Methadone