The combination very low-dose naltrexone-clonidine in the management of opioid withdrawal.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The management of withdrawal absorbs substantial clinical efforts in opioid dependence (OD). The real challenge lies in improving current pharmacotherapies. Although widely used, clonidine causes problematic adverse effects and does not alleviate important symptoms of opioid withdrawal, alone or in combination with the opioid antagonist naltrexone. Very low-dose naltrexone (VLNTX) has been shown to attenuate withdrawal intensity and noradrenaline release following opioid agonist taper, suggesting a combination with clonidine may result in improved safety and efficacy.

Objectives

We investigated the effects of a VLNTX-clonidine combination in a secondary analysis of data from a double-blind, randomized opioid detoxification trial.

Methods

Withdrawal symptoms

SUBMITTER: Mannelli P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3578306 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature