A controlled trial of fluoxetine in crack cocaine dependence.
This controlled study tested the efficacy of the selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine in the out-patient treatment of primary crack cocaine dependence. Thirty-two subjects were randomly assigned, 16 in each group, to placebo or fluoxetine, 40 mg/day, in a double-blind controlled trial over a 12-week period. Outcome measures included quantitative urine benzoylecgonine concentration, self-reports of cocaine use and craving, and treatment retention. Subjects assigned to fluoxetine were retained in treatment significantly longer than those on placebo: a median of 11 weeks compared to 3 weeks (logrank test, P < 0.001). Because of the poor retention in the placebo group, between-groups comparisons of outcome were limited to the first 6 weeks of treatment. No differences in cocaine use or craving were found between the two groups over weeks 1 to 6. The significant improvement in retention associated with fluoxetine may support further study of this medication in the treatment of cocaine dependence.
Batki
S L
SL
Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, USA.
Washburn
A M
AM
Delucchi
K
K
Jones
R T
RT
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003042:Cocaine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D016578:Crack Cocaine; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003042:Cocaine; D016578:Crack Cocaine; D005473:Fluoxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; C005618:benzoylecgonine