title: LSD-induced hallucinogen persisting perception disorder treatment with clonidine: an open pilot study.
abstract: A pilot open study was conducted in order to evaluate the efficacy of clonidine in the treatment of LSD-induced hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). Eight patients fulfilled entrance criteria. All complained of HPPD for at least 3 months and were drug free at least 3 months. They received fixed low doses of clonidine, 0.025 mg, three times a day for 2 months. They were evaluated by the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) and a self-report scale on the severity of symptoms (graded 0-5). Patients scored an average of 5.25 (SD = 0.46) on the CGI and 4 on the self-report scale at baseline, indicating marked psychopathology. One patient dropped out at week 3 and a second patient dropped out at week 5. Of the six patients remaining at the end of 2 months, the average CGI score was 2.5 (SD = 0.55) and the self-report scale score was 2, indicating mild symptomatology. LSD-related flashbacks associated with excessive sympathetic nervous activity may be alleviated with clonidine in some patients.
authors.affiliation: Lev Hasharon Mental Health Medical Center, Pardessya, Israel. lerneram@internet-zahav.net
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Lerner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gelkopf
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Oyffe
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Finkel
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sigal
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weizman
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D003000:Clonidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008238:Lysergic Acid Diethylamide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D006213:Hallucinogens; D008238:Lysergic Acid Diethylamide; D003000:Clonidine