Results
Title

The efficiency of a carbamazepine–mianserin combination scheme in opiate detoxification.

Authors

Zullino, Daniele F.; Krenz, Sonia; Favrat, Bernard; Zimmermann, Grégoire; Bertschy, Gilles; Besson, Jacques

Abstract

A recent comparative randomized double-blind study has suggested the utility of a carbamazepine/mianserin combination as a treatment for opiate withdrawal. The aim of the present study was to explore the feasibility and efficiency of this combination under naturalistic conditions. Five hundred and fifty mostly polysubstance abusing patients treated with a standardized scheme combining carbamazepine and mianserin were assessed with regard to deviations to the protocol, used comedications and retention in treatment. Three hundred and sixty three patients (66.0%) received the carbamazepine/mianserin combination as specified by the standardized protocol. In 350 patients (63.7%) the whole 10 days was completed. The most frequently used p.r.n. medications were for anxiety (47.5%) and insomnia (54.5%). The treatment of opiate withdrawal with a carbamazepine/mianserin combination scheme in an inpatient setting seems to be feasible and applicable with few adaptations to most patients, and may represent an interesting treatment option for multidrug users.. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Subjects

DRUG withdrawal symptoms; CARBAMAZEPINE; NARCOTICS; DETOXIFICATION (Alternative medicine); ANTIDEPRESSANTS; ANTICONVULSANTS

Publication

Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical & Experimental, 2004, Vol 19, Issue 6, p425

ISSN

0885-6222

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.1002/hup.610