The use of lofexidine by drug dependency units in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Data were collected on 1,074 opiate detoxifications conducted with lofexidine, from 40 drug dependency units in the United Kingdom. 671 patients (62.5%) attempted a detoxification in the community, with the remainder attempting an inpatient detoxification. Patients completing the detoxification started on a mean dose of 0.8 mg/day (median 0.6 mg/day), titrating to a mean dose of 2.2 mg/day (median 1.6 mg/day) and detoxifying in a mean of 10 days (median 10 days). Overall 614 patients (60.4%) successfully completed the detoxification. The most frequently recorded adverse events were dry mouth (5.3%), dizziness (8.5%) and sedation (6.6%). In conclusion, lofexidine is widely and successfully used to rapidly detoxify patients from a range of opiates.