title: A preliminary, controlled investigation of magnesium L-aspartate hydrochloride for illicit cocaine and opiate use in methadone-maintained patients.
abstract: Based on pre-clinical studies suggesting that magnesium (Mg) reduces cocaine self-administration and potentiates the antinociceptive effects of morphine, we conducted a preliminary randomized clinical trial investigating Mg for the treatment of illicit cocaine and opiate use. Eighteen methadone-maintained patients who used illicit opiates and cocaine received either Mg (732 mg/day) or placebo for 12 weeks. Overall, findings showed that the percentage of urine screens testing positive for opiates in the Mg group (22.6%) was half that of the placebo group (46.4%), p = .04; the difference was even greater in the "medication compliant" sample (Mg: 16.3%, placebo: 47.9%), p = .02. Cocaine craving was lower in the Mg compared to the placebo group, but there was no difference between groups in cocaine use. These preliminary findings suggest that Mg may have a beneficial effect for reducing illicit opiate use. It is possible that a higher dose of Mg than was used in this study may be needed to decrease cocaine use.
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Substance Abuse Center, New Haven, CT 06519, USA. arthur.margolin@yale.edu
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Margolin
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kantak
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Copenhaver
authors.forename: S Kelly
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Avants
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010349:Patient Compliance
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D009294:Narcotics; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D008691:Methadone