Effect of add-on gabapentin on opioid withdrawal symptoms in opium-dependent patients.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of the efficacy of gabapentin in patients undergoing out-patient treatment for opiate withdrawal.


METHODS
A 3-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of adjunctive gabapentin in methadone-assisted detoxification (MAD).


METHODS
Specialized Addictive Behaviors Unit, an out-patient unit for the treatment of patients with an addictive disorder serving the city of Isfahan (Iran).


METHODS
Forty out-patients, 37 males and three females, aged 21-61 years, who met DSM-IV criteria for opiate dependence.


METHODS
Random assignment of subjects to receive adjunctive treatment with either gabapentin (900 mg/day) or placebo under double-blind conditions.


METHODS
Severity of subjective withdrawal symptoms using the Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scale at six stages.


RESULTS
Despite the superiority of gabapentin on controlling some of withdrawal symptoms, no significant differences were reported between two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Dosage of 900 mg/day of gabapentin is not significantly superior to placebo in controlling opiate withdrawal symptoms.
Kheirabadi
Gholam R
GR
Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. kheirabadi@bsrc.mul.ac.ir
Ranjkesh
Mansour
M
Maracy
Mohamad R
MR
Salehi
Mehrdad
M
D000328:Adult; D000588:Amines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000588:Amines; D000700:Analgesics; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin