Dihydrocodeine: a useful tool in the detoxification of methadone-maintained patients.
We investigated the merit of dihydrocodeine tartrate for withdrawal in detoxifying 20 methadone-maintained patients presenting for treatment at the Leeds Addiction Unit (LAU). Thirteen patients (65%) successfully completed methadone detoxification and were abstinent from both methadone and opiate-type drugs at the end of the 2-week program. On completion, three patients began treatment with Naltrexone and another was abstinent at a follow-up appointment, 1 week later. A further patient relapsed back to heroin use but remained in contact with the LAU. The remaining six patients dropped out of the 2-week detoxification program between days 3 and 11 of the dihydrocodeine cross-over period. We believe dihydrocodeine may have advantages in detoxifying methadone-maintained patients.
Banbery
J
J
Leeds Addiction Unit, 19 Springfield Mount, LS2 9NG, Leeds, UK.
Wolff
K
K
Raistrick
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003061:Codeine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; C014481:dihydrocodeine; D008691:Methadone; D003061:Codeine