Amantadine in the treatment of cocaine-dependent patients with severe withdrawal symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
The study examined the effectiveness of amantadine in reducing cocaine withdrawal symptoms and improving treatment outcome among cocaine-dependent patients in outpatient treatment.


METHODS
Sixty-one cocaine-dependent subjects participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of amantadine.


RESULTS
Among subjects with severe cocaine withdrawal symptoms at the start of treatment, those who received amantadine used significantly less cocaine during the trial than did subjects who received placebo. Compared to subjects who received placebo, subjects who received amantadine submitted significantly more benzoylecgonine-negative urine samples and used cocaine on significantly fewer days during the trial.


CONCLUSIONS
Amantadine may be an effective treatment for cocaine-dependent patients with severe cocaine withdrawal symptoms.
Kampman
K M
KM
Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvannia School of Medicine, Philadelphia, 19104, USA. kampman_k@mail.trc.upenn.edu
Volpicelli
J R
JR
Alterman
A I
AI
Cornish
J
J
O'Brien
C P
CP
D000547:Amantadine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003042:Cocaine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000652:urine; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000652:urine; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015259:Dopamine Agents; D010919:Placebos; C005618:benzoylecgonine; D000547:Amantadine; D003042:Cocaine