Naltrexone and lofexidine combination treatment compared with conventional lofexidine treatment for in-patient opiate detoxification

Abstract

This study compares a naltrexone/lofexidine combination treatment with a 7-day course of lofexidine alone in the treatment of opiate withdrawal in 22 opiate-dependent patients. Withdrawal symptoms were significantly less severe on days 4-7, and 9-13, in the naltrexone/lofexidine combination group. There were no significant differences in the percentage of patients completing detoxification or in the mean length of stay for the two groups. Both treatments had similar, minimal effects on blood pressure. The naltrexone/lofexidine combination was associated with a more rapid resolution of the opiate withdrawal syndrome than a 7-day lofexidine-only treatment schedule, without substantial increases in withdrawal symptoms or hypotensive side-effects.