Banbery J, Wolff K, Raistrick D. Dihydrocodeine: a useful tool in the detoxification of methadone-maintained patients.
J Subst Abuse Treat 2000;
19:301-5. [PMID:
11027902 DOI:
10.1016/s0740-5472(00)00093-3]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the merit of dihydrocodeine tartrate for withdrawal in detoxifying 20 methadone-maintained patients presenting for treatment at the Leeds Addiction Unit (LAU). Thirteen patients (65%) successfully completed methadone detoxification and were abstinent from both methadone and opiate-type drugs at the end of the 2-week program. On completion, three patients began treatment with Naltrexone and another was abstinent at a follow-up appointment, 1 week later. A further patient relapsed back to heroin use but remained in contact with the LAU. The remaining six patients dropped out of the 2-week detoxification program between days 3 and 11 of the dihydrocodeine cross-over period. We believe dihydrocodeine may have advantages in detoxifying methadone-maintained patients.
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