Ondansetron and opiate craving. A novel pharmacological approach to addiction.
BACKGROUND
Pharmacological approaches to opiate addiction have for the most part been limited to a role in detoxification. A high percentage of patients who complete detoxification programmes relapse.


METHODS
In the present study, we used a simple laboratory method to investigate suggestions from preclinical studies that 5-(hydroxytryptamine) HT3 receptor antagonists have a role in the treatment of addiction.


RESULTS
We showed that addicts stably maintained on methadone experienced significant craving, dysphoria, and withdrawal-like symptoms when exposed to a video containing drug-related cues. The craving was not lessened by treatment with the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, ondansetron (4 mg orally).


CONCLUSIONS
Our current findings do not support a role for 5-HT3 receptor agonists in the reduction of craving in opiate addicts.
Sell
L A
LA
Department of Addictive Behaviour, Warneford Hospital, Oxford.
Cowen
P J
PJ
Robson
P J
PJ
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009294:Narcotics; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy
D009294:Narcotics; D017294:Ondansetron; D008691:Methadone