Effects of lofexidine on stress-induced and cue-induced opioid craving and opioid abstinence rates: preliminary findings
R Sinha, A Kimmerling, C Doebrick, TR Kosten - Psychopharmacology, 2007 - Springer
R Sinha, A Kimmerling, C Doebrick, TR Kosten
Psychopharmacology, 2007•SpringerObjective A preliminary study examined whether lofexidine decreases stress-induced and
cue-induced opioid craving and improves opioid abstinence in naltrexone-treated opioid-
dependent individuals. Materials and methods Eighteen opioid-dependent patients were
stabilized for 4 weeks with naltrexone (50 mg daily) and lofexidine (2.4 mg bid) before
entering a 4-week randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled discontinuation study
where one group continued on lofexidine for an additional 4 weeks, while the second was …
cue-induced opioid craving and improves opioid abstinence in naltrexone-treated opioid-
dependent individuals. Materials and methods Eighteen opioid-dependent patients were
stabilized for 4 weeks with naltrexone (50 mg daily) and lofexidine (2.4 mg bid) before
entering a 4-week randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled discontinuation study
where one group continued on lofexidine for an additional 4 weeks, while the second was …
Objective
A preliminary study examined whether lofexidine decreases stress-induced and cue-induced opioid craving and improves opioid abstinence in naltrexone-treated opioid-dependent individuals.
Materials and methods
Eighteen opioid-dependent patients were stabilized for 4 weeks with naltrexone (50 mg daily) and lofexidine (2.4 mg bid) before entering a 4-week randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled discontinuation study where one group continued on lofexidine for an additional 4 weeks, while the second was tapered to placebo (Lofexidine–naltrexone vs Placebo–naltrexone). Ten patients also participated in guided imagery exposure to stress, drug cue, and neutral scenarios in a single laboratory session.
Results
Lofexidine–naltrexone patients had higher opioid abstinence rates and improved relapse outcomes as compared to the Placebo–naltrexone group. Furthermore, Lofexidine–naltrexone patients had significantly lower heart rates and an attenuated stress and drug cue-induced opioid craving response in the laboratory as compared to the Placebo–naltrexone group.
Conclusions
Although preliminary, these findings are the first to document lofexidine’s potential in addressing stress-related opioid craving and relapse outcomes in humans. The results also suggest that combination therapies that target both drug-related reinforcement (naltrexone) and stress- and cue-related aspects of drug seeking could be beneficial in addiction relapse prevention. Further development of lofexidine to address stress-related opioid craving and relapse is warranted.
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