title: Methadone tapering plus amantadine to detoxify heroin-dependent inpatients with or without an active cocaine use disorder: two randomised controlled trials.
abstract: The efficacy of methadone tapering plus amantadine to detoxify heroin-dependent patients with or without an active cocaine use disorder was studied in a closed unit with two successive double-blind, placebo-controlled, 14-day trials. In the first trial, 40 heroin-dependent inpatients with an active cocaine use disorder were treated using methadone tapering, as well as amantadine (200-300 mg per day) or placebo. In the second trial, 40 heroin-dependent inpatients without an active cocaine use disorder received the same treatment. In both the trials, amantadine did not have a statistically significant effect on treatment completion, nor did it contribute, in completers, to a more rapid reduction in craving and opiate withdrawal. In the first trial, women were six times more likely than men to be non-completers, and on the last day of treatment, the first trial's completers and non-completers presented a comparable clinical state.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona Autonomous University School of Medicine, Sant Antoni Ma Claret, 167, 08025, Barcelona, Spain. jperezc@hsp.santpau.es
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pérez de los Cobos
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Duro
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trujols
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tejero
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Batlle
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ribalta
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Casas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000547:Amantadine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D010343:Patient Admission; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000547:Amantadine; D008691:Methadone