ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: This randomized double-blind, placebo controlled study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of gabapentin in the treatment of opiate withdrawal symptoms.
Material and Methods: This was a 3-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial and performed in specialized addiction behavior unit, an outpatient unit for the treatment of patients with addiction in Isfahan. The study included forty patients, 37 males and 3 females, between 21-61 years of age who met DSM-IV criteria for opium dependence. The subjects were randomly assigned into 2 groups. The experimental group received MAD (methadone-assisted detoxification) and gabapentin 900 mg/day. Severity of different withdrawal symptoms was measured by using subjective opiate withdrawal scale (SWOS) in six steps.
Results: Despite superiority of gabapentin to placebo in controlling some of withdrawal symptoms no significant difference was noticed between the two groups.
Conclusion: Addition of 900 mg/day of gabapentin to MAD treatment regimen is not significantly superior to placebo in controlling opium withdrawal symptoms.
Key words: Gabapentin, Opium dependent, Withdrawal symptoms, Opioid
Kheirabadi G, Ranjkesh M, Maracy M R, Salehi M. Effect of gabapentin on opioid withdrawal symptoms in opium dependent patients. SJKU 2008; 13 (1) :13-20 URL: http://sjku.muk.ac.ir/article-1-69-en.html