Craving patterns in methadone maintenance treatment with dextromoramide as adjuvant.
A study was performed to establish the effect on opiate craving among six long-term opiate-dependent subjects in methadone maintenance treatment. Subjects currently stabilised on methadone, received 5 or 10 mg dextromoramide besides methadone. During the study the usual methadone dose was diminished according to the individual subject's expectation of the effect of dextromoramide addition. A clear drug-effect relationship between the increment of dextromoramide plasma concentration and decrement of opiate craving could be seen. A craving increase before drug administration was seen in three cases. The results could imply beneficial effects of a short-acting opiate on diminishing craving in opiate addicts who are difficult to stabilise with methadone maintenance treatment.
de Vos
J W
JW
University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. jwdevos@knmg.nl
Ufkes
J G
JG
van den Brink
W
W
van Brussel
G H
GH
de Wolff
F A
FA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology*; D003916:Dextromoramide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013997:Time Factors
D009294:Narcotics; D003916:Dextromoramide; D008691:Methadone