[The combined use of scopolamine, naltrexone and naloxone as a rapid, safe and effective detoxification treatment for heroin addicts]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a rapid detoxification schedule for heroin addicts by scopolamine combined with opiate receptor antagonists.

Methods: The life signs such as temperature, blood pressure, ECG, heart rate, respiratory rate and blood oxygen saturation were monitored during the process of rapid detoxification treatment. The naloxone challenge test, withdrawal symptoms scale and naltrexone maintenance were used to evaluate the efficacy of the rapid detoxification.

Results: The withdrawal symptoms of 84 heroin addicts induced by naltrexone and naloxone were controlled completely under scopolamine administration in the 6-8 hours treatment period, although the naloxone challenge test was able to induce slight and transient withdrawal symptoms in the second day, and all patients were transferred rapidly to naltrexone maintenance. During treatment, the temperature in 19 cases elevated, and all patients showed increased heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate. However, the blood oxygen saturation was still stable after oral-administration of naltrexone and continuous injection of naloxone during the detoxification. Blood test in gastric fluid was positive in 3 cases during the detoxification. The follow-up data showed that the average maintenance time of naltrexone was 2.6 months, and the percentage of drug free was 21% in 6 months after the detoxification in 84 cases.

Conclusion: The combined use of scopolamine, naltrexone and naloxone is a rapid, safe and effective detoxification treatment protocol for heroin addicts.