Effect of add-on gabapentin on opioid withdrawal symptoms in opium-dependent patients.

Author(s): Kheirabadi GR, Ranjkesh M, Maracy MR, Salehi M

Affiliation(s): Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. kheirabadi@bsrc.mul.ac.ir

Publication date & source: 2008-09, Addiction., 103(9):1495-9.

Publication type: Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

AIMS: Evaluation of the efficacy of gabapentin in patients undergoing out-patient treatment for opiate withdrawal. DESIGN: A 3-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of adjunctive gabapentin in methadone-assisted detoxification (MAD). SETTING: Specialized Addictive Behaviors Unit, an out-patient unit for the treatment of patients with an addictive disorder serving the city of Isfahan (Iran). PARTICIPANTS: Forty out-patients, 37 males and three females, aged 21-61 years, who met DSM-IV criteria for opiate dependence. INTERVENTION: Random assignment of subjects to receive adjunctive treatment with either gabapentin (900 mg/day) or placebo under double-blind conditions. MEASUREMENTS: Severity of subjective withdrawal symptoms using the Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scale at six stages. FINDINGS: Despite the superiority of gabapentin on controlling some of withdrawal symptoms, no significant differences were reported between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Dosage of 900 mg/day of gabapentin is not significantly superior to placebo in controlling opiate withdrawal symptoms.