Accelerated lofexidine treatment regimen compared with conventional lofexidine and methadone treatment for in-patient opiate detoxification

Abstract

This open study compares an accelerated 5-day lofexidine regimen with orthodox 10-day lofexidine and methadone regimens in the treatment of opiate withdrawal in 61 polysubstance abusing opiate addicts. Significant differences in levels of withdrawal symptoms were found on days 11, 13–15 and 17–20, symptoms resolving most rapidly in the 5-day lofexidine treatment group, whilst withdrawal responses in the 10-day lofexidine treatment group were intermediate between the 5-day lofexidine and standard methadone treatment conditions. When the two lofexidine regimens were separately compared with methadone the 5-day lofexidine treatment was significantly more effective on day 10, 11 and 13–20, whilst the 10-day lofexidine treatment was not significantly different from methadone. There were no significant differences in rates of completion of detoxification between the three treatments. Both the lofexidine treatment regimens had a similar effect on blood pressure. Five patients experienced side effects which resolved with dose reduction, all remaining in the study. An accelerated 5-day lofexidine regimen may attenuate opiate withdrawal symptoms more rapidly than conventional 10-day lofexidine or methadone treatment schedules without exacerbating hypotensive side effects.