[Clinical observation on effect of modified banxia houpu decoction in treating patients with protracted heroin abstinence syndrome].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the therapeutic effect of Modified Banxia Houpu Decoction (MBHD) in treating heroin abusers with protracted abstinence syndrome.


METHODS
One hundred and eighty-seven heroin abusers were randomly divided into three groups, the 58 patients in the control group, 62 in the treated group A and 67 in the treated group B. All were detoxified with lofexidine hydrochloride (LFX) tablet for 12 days. MBHD was given to the two treated groups, the medication started from the beginning of detoxification in the group B, and from the end of detoxification in group A for 60 days. To the control group, an imitate preparation was given. The observation was carried out 10 days after withdrawal of medication, and the protracted abstinence related symptoms were observed and scored. And the condition of re-abusing in patients were investigated through urinary examination one year later.


RESULTS
The heroin abusers' protracted abstinence symptom score in the treated group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01), and comparison of the scores between the two treated groups also showed significant difference (A < B, P < 0.01). The 1-year re-abusing rate in treated group B was significantly lower than that in the control group and in the treated group A (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
MBHD could improve the heroin abusers' protracted abstinence symptoms after detoxification. In spite of the complexity of various factors, to effectively control the early stage abstinence symptoms and median stage protracted abstinence symptoms is one of the effective measures to prevent drug re-abusing.
Huang
De-bin
DB
Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Hubei, Institute for Nationalities, Hubei 445000.
Yu
Zhao-fen
ZF
Fu
Lin
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003000:Clonidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*
C120141:Banxia Houpo Tang; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D003000:Clonidine; C025655:lofexidine