Effects of lofexidine on stress-induced and cue-induced opioid craving and opioid abstinence rates: preliminary findings (original) (raw)

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Abstract

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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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health grants R01-DA18219 (RS), P50-DA16556 (RS), K02-DA17232(RS), P50-DA12762 (TRK), and K05-DA0454 (TRK) to Yale University. Findings reported in this manuscript were presented at the Annual Meetings of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology in San Juan, PR, December 15, 2005. We thank the staff of the Substance Abuse Treatment Unit of the Connecticut Mental Health Center for their support of this research. Britannia Pharmaceuticals, UK provided lofexidine and placebo tablets.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 34 Park Street, Room S110, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA
   Rajita Sinha, Anne Kimmerling, Cheryl Doebrick & Thomas R. Kosten

Authors

1. Rajita Sinha
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2. Anne Kimmerling
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3. Cheryl Doebrick
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4. Thomas R. Kosten
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Correspondence toRajita Sinha.

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Sinha, R., Kimmerling, A., Doebrick, C. et al. Effects of lofexidine on stress-induced and cue-induced opioid craving and opioid abstinence rates: preliminary findings.Psychopharmacology 190, 569–574 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-006-0640-8

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• Received: 28 September 2006
• Accepted: 02 November 2006
• Published: 29 November 2006
• Issue Date: March 2007
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-006-0640-8

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