Comparison of acetorphan with clonidine for opiate withdrawal symptoms

Article Abstract:

Although the existence of a neurochemical component to opioid addiction is generally accepted, the exact mechanism remains unidentified. The neurochemical aspects of opioid withdrawal are thought to result from a deficiency in opioid peptides in the brain. Therefore, treatment of withdrawal symptoms may best be accomplished by administering drugs to stimulate the brain's natural production of opioid peptides or by replacing them with synthetic peptides. In the present investigation, 13 men and 6 women who had been addicted to heroin for an average of 18 years were studied as they entered opioid withdrawal syndrome. They were divided into two groups. Group one was given 50 milligrams of acetorphan twice a day and placebo five times a day. Group two was given 0.075 mg clonidine five times a day and placebo twice a day. Objective signs of withdrawal symptoms were noted and subjective reports were made twice per day. Clonidine is a proven treatment for opioid withdrawal symptoms, but has side effects such as severe low blood pressure. The drugs had a similar effect in relieving subjective symptoms of withdrawal over a five-day period, but acetorphan relieved objective signs of withdrawal more significantly than clonidine. No apparent side effects of acetorphan were noted. It is concluded that acetorphan is a safe and effective alternative treatment for opioid withdrawal symptoms. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Care and treatment, Complications and side effects, Opioids, Drug withdrawal symptoms, Substance withdrawal syndrome, Clonidine

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Identification and characterization of greater mood variance in depression

Article Abstract:

Research suggests that mood tends to remain fairly stable throughout the course of a day, although there is increasing evidence for mood variation over a period of days in depressed patients. Whether depressed patients may also show mood variance during a single day is not clear. The quantity and quality of mood variation was assessed in depressed patients in the present study. Using a visual analogue scale, which patients completed hourly, the hourly variation in mood was assessed for nine depressed patients and nine nondepressed patients, and the trends in each group were compared. Hourly mood assessments for each patient were plotted as a function of time. Depressed patients had greater variability in their mood ratings over the course of 12 hours than nondepressed patients. Therefore, it is suggested that mood be assessed repeatedly at different times of day to gain accurate information about a patient's mood. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Psychological aspects, Research, Depression, Mental, Depression (Mood disorder), Affective disorders, Mood disorders, Mood (Psychology)

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