title: Opioid dependence and substitution therapy: thymoquinone as potential novel supplement therapy for better outcome for methadone maintenance therapy substitution therapy.
abstract: Methadone is widely being used for opioid substitution therapy. However, the administration of methadone to opioid dependent individual is frequently accompanied by withdrawal syndrome and chemical dependency develops. Other than that, it is also difficult to retain patients in the treatment programme making their retention rates are decreasing over time. This article is written to higlights the potential use of prophetic medicines, Nigella sativa, as a supplement for opioid dependent receiving methadone. It focuses on the potential role of N. sativa and its major active compound, Thymoquinone (TQ) as a calcium channel blocking agent to reduce withdrawal syndrome and opioid dependency.
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FPSK), Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), 20400, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia.
authors: Liyana Hazwani Mohd
authors: LH
authors: Adnan
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FPSK), Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), 20400, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia.
authors: Nor Hidayah Abu
authors: NH
authors: Bakar
authors: Innovation and Research; FPSK, UniSZA, 20400, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia.
authors: Nasir
authors: N
authors: Mohamad
keywords: Calcium channel blocker; Methadone; Nigella sativa; Opioid dependence; Thymoquinone