title: Propoxyphene napsylate maintenance treatment of narcotic dependence: use of a non-methadone model.
abstract: One hundred seventy-eight (178) heroin addicts entered propoxyphene napsylate (PN) maintenance. Patients attended a general medical clinic two times each week and took home a three- to four-day supply of PN which was usually taken in doses of 300 to 400 mg three to four times per day. Over a 21-month period, the subjects entered and re-entered PN treatment 166 times (1.5 times per patient) and remained a mean of 10.6 weeks per treatment. A comparison with a group of methadone maintenance patients indicated similar performance in employment and heroin use. The ability to take PN, attend a clinic less often than daily, and discontinue and re-enter treatment on a discretionary basis is preferred treatment approach for some narcotic addicts.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D011431:Dextropropoxyphene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D011431:Dextropropoxyphene; D008691:Methadone