title: A comparative clinical study of the effects of the traditional Chinese medicine Jinniu capsules and lofexidine on acute heroin withdrawal symptoms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Jinniu capsules, comprised of herbs and marine product extracts, are traditionally used in Chinese medicine. In this randomized multicenter clinical trial we evaluated the efficacy and safety of Jinniu capsules used to treat the symptoms of heroin withdrawal, as compared with lofexidine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and twelve patients with heroin dependence were randomly assigned to the Jinniu capsule or lofexidine treatment groups during a 10-day double-blind clinical trial. The severity of their opiate withdrawal symptoms was measured daily for 10 days. Anxiety was measured on days 0, 5, and 10. Safety assessment of the drugs included measurement of vital signs and side effects, as well as laboratory tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Withdrawal symptom and anxiety scores decreased gradually over the treatment period, and no significant differences were found between two groups. No severe adverse events occurred during the treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Jinniu capsules may be an effective and safe agent in the management of opiate withdrawal.
authors.affiliation: National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Guo-Zhu
authors.initials: GZ
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Ting-Ting
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Li-Yang
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.forename: Hong-Xian
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Su-Xia
authors.initials: SX
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003000:Clonidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D003000:Clonidine; C025655:lofexidine