Abstract
This paper describes the role of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in the treatment of opiate withdrawal syndrome. In the two patients described, after having abruptly withdrawn from long-term methadone treatment, GHB was orally administered (each dose given every 4-6 h) for 8-9 days. The GHB showed both a high efficacy (some mild and transient symptoms attributable to opiate withdrawal were observed, but only in the first days of therapy) and a good tolerability (no clinical phenomena interpreted as GHB side effects were found). These results could be of interest in improving the pharmacological treatment of drug addiction.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 113-114 |
Number of pages | 2 |
Journal | European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience |
Volume | 244 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 1994 |
Keywords
- Drug addiction
- Gamma-hydroxybutyrate
- Opiate dependence
- Opiate withdrawal