title: Symptoms and sleep patterns during inpatient treatment of methamphetamine withdrawal: a comparison of mirtazapine and modafinil with treatment as usual.
abstract: The safety and tolerability of modafinil (400 mg/day, n = 14) and mirtazapine (60 mg/day, n = 13) in inpatient methamphetamine withdrawal treatment were compared to a historical comparison group receiving treatment as usual (pericyazine, 2.5-10 mg/day, n = 22). Modafinil and mirtazapine were well tolerated, producing minimal positive subjective effects and no discontinuation effects in this open-label study. Side effects were mild and transient. Aches and pains were most commonly reported by participants receiving mirtazapine, whereas headache was reported by modafinil-treated participants. Modafinil-treated participants had a milder withdrawal syndrome as measured by the Amphetamine Cessation Symptom Assessment and less sleep disturbance in comparison to mirtazapine. Pericyazine was associated with a more severe withdrawal syndrome in comparison to mirtazapine and modafinil. Both modafinil and mirtazapine were safe and well tolerated in methamphetamine withdrawal treatment. However, these early findings of efficacy in symptom amelioration should be replicated in an adequately powered, randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind design.
authors.affiliation: Monitoring, Evaluation and Research, Drug and Alcohol Office, Western Australia, Australia. catherine.mcgregor@health.wa.gov.au
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.forename: Manit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Srisurapanont
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wickes
authors.forename: Jason M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008803:Mianserin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D000078785:Mirtazapine; D000077408:Modafinil; D010640:Phenothiazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000534:rehabilitation*
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D010640:Phenothiazines; D008803:Mianserin; C084584:periciazine; D000078785:Mirtazapine; D000077408:Modafinil