Double-blind study of lofexidine and clonidine in the detoxification of opiate addicts in hospital.
Twenty eight opiate addicted inpatients who had been stabilised on methadone took part in a double-blind randomised trial of clonidine and lofexidine (14 on each treatment) for opiate detoxification: clonidine or lofexidine dosage was titrated according to symptoms. The course of withdrawal symptoms was very similar with both treatments, representing an appreciable suppression of symptoms when compared with experiences of sudden methadone withdrawal, but lofexidine resulted in significantly less hypotension and adverse events. These results suggest that lofexidine is a valuable drug for opiate detoxification and may be more acceptable to patients wishing to withdraw from opiates.
Kahn
A
A
All Saints Hospital, Addictive Behaviour Centre, Birmingham, UK.
Mumford
J P
JP
Rogers
G A
GA
Beckford
H
H
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D003000:Clonidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010343:Patient Admission; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D003000:Clonidine; C025655:lofexidine