@article{APS4454,
author = {Zheng Yang and Yong-cong Shao and Shi-jiang Li and Jian-lin Qi and Mei-jie Zhang and Wei Hao and Guo-zhang Jin},
title = {Medication of l-tetrahydropalmatine significantly ameliorates opiate craving and increases the abstinence rate in heroin users: a pilot study},
journal = {Acta Pharmacologica Sinica},
volume = {29},
number = {7},
year = {2016},
keywords = {},
abstract = {Aim: Drug addiction is a chronic brain disease with constant relapse requiring long-term treatment. New pharmacological strategies focus on the development of an effective antirelapse drug. This study examines the effects of levotetrahydropalmatine (l-THP) on reducing heroin craving and increasing the abstinence rate among heroin-dependent patients.
Methods: In total, 120 heroin-dependent patients participated in the randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled study using l-THP treatment. The participants remained in a ward during a 4-week period of l-THP treatment, followed by 4 weeks of observation after treatment. The patients were followed for 3 months after discharge. Outcome measures are the measured severity of the protracted abstinence withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) and the abstinence rate.
Results: Four weeks of l-THP treatment significantly ameliorated the severity of PAWS, specifically, somatic syndrome, mood states, insomnia, and drug craving, in comparison to the placebo group. Based on the 3 month follow-up observation, participants who survived the initial 2 weeks of l-THP medication and remained in the trial program had a significantly higher abstinence rate of 47.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 33%–67%) than the 15.2% in the placebo group (95% CI: 7%-25%), according to a log-rank test (P},
issn = {1745-7254}, url = {http://www.chinaphar.com/article/view/4454}
}