Effects of Buspirone in Opiate Withdrawal
Summary
Dependence on heroin is a major public health problem because of its association with criminality, law enforcement costs and healthcare costs. Managed withdrawal is a required first step for a long term drug-free treatment of heroin addicts. Methadone and clonidine have been the mainstay of treatment for the relief of heroin withdrawal symptoms but both have limitations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of buspirone in the alleviation of the withdrawal symptoms experienced by heroin addicts when they stop using heroin. Buspirone is a non opiate drug with no abuse potential, no sedating effects and no withdrawal symptoms.
Description
In an attempt to develop a new opiate detoxification approach, the authors assessed the efficacy of buspirone in the treatment of acute heroin withdrawal. Buspirone, a drug interacting with the serotonergic system was selected because there is evidence that a decrease in serotonergic neurotransmission may be involved in opiate withdrawal symptomatology.
Hospitalized heroin addicts were randomized to 4 groups: 1) placebo; 2) methadone; 3) buspirone 30 mg daily; 4) buspirone 45 mg daily. The double-blind trial started in all patients with a 5-day methadone stabilization period ending with a 30 mg dose. This was followed from day 6 through 12 by placebo in group 1 and by a methadone taper in group 2. Because of its delayed action, buspirone was started on day 1 in groups 3 and 4 and was continued, after methadone discontinuation, through day 12. On day 13, drugs and placebo were discontinued and patients observed through day 14. Withdrawal symptoms were assessed with the “Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scale” (SOWS) and the “Objective Opiate Withdrawal Scale” (OOWS). Participants met with a research assistant daily for 30 minutes while on an inpatient unit. The study did not interfere with the scheduled ward activities. Results so far indicate that the SOWS and OOWS scores were significantly higher in the Placebo group than in the Methadone, Buspirone 30 mg and Buspirone 45 mg groups. There were no significant differences in SOWS or OOWS scores when the Methadone group was compared to each of the two Buspirone groups or when the two Buspirone groups were compared to one another. Thus buspirone, a non opiate drug with no abuse potential, a safe side effect profile and no withdrawal symptoms at doses of 30 and 45 mg, was as effective as a methadone taper in alleviating the withdrawal symptoms of heroin addicts stabilized for 5 days with, and then withdrawn from, methadone. Additional analyses will be performed using data collected in the course of the study.
Study Design
Allocation: Randomized, Control: Placebo Control, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double-Blind, Primary Purpose: Treatment
Conditions
Heroin Dependence
Intervention
Buspirone
Location
VA New York Harbor Healthcare System - Brooklyn Campus
Brooklyn
New York
United States
11209
Status
Completed
Source
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Results (where available)
Links
- Source: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00326235
- Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on July 15, 2010
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Heroin Dependence
Strong dependence, both physiological and emotional, upon heroin.
Brachial Plexus Neuritis
A syndrome associated with inflammation of the BRACHIAL PLEXUS. Clinical features include severe pain in the shoulder region which may be accompanied by MUSCLE WEAKNESS and loss of sensation in the upper extremity. This condition may be associated with VIRUS DISEASES; IMMUNIZATION; SURGERY; heroin use (see HEROIN DEPENDENCE); and other conditions. The term brachial neuralgia generally refers to pain associated with brachial plexus injury. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp1355-6)
Naltrexone
Derivative of noroxymorphone that is the N-cyclopropylmethyl congener of NALOXONE. It is a narcotic antagonist that is effective orally, longer lasting and more potent than naloxone, and has been proposed for the treatment of heroin addiction. The FDA has approved naltrexone for the treatment of alcohol dependence.
Morphine Dependence
Strong dependence, both physiological and emotional, upon morphine.
Buspirone
An anxiolytic agent and a serotonin receptor agonist belonging to the azaspirodecanedione class of compounds. Its structure is unrelated to those of the benzodiazepines, but it has an efficacy comparable to DIAZEPAM.
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