SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF BUPROPION COMBINED WITH BROMOCRIPTINE FOR TREATMENT OF COCAINE DEPENDENCE

Bupropion and bromocriptine have been used separately for treatment of cocaine dependence. This 8-week, open-label study tested the combinat ion of bupropion and bromocriptine with the goal of obtaining nit enha nced therapeutic effect with fewer side effects. Thirteen cocaine-depe ndent (DSM-III-R criteria) subjects received bupropion less than or eq ual to 300 mg) plus bromocriptine(less than or equal to 7.5 mg) daily, in addition to weekly individual standardized counseling. No serious adverse events were reported. There were significant (P < 0.01) reduct ions between pretreatment and posttreatment for patients' self-reporte d weekly grams used, money spent on cocaine, and Beck Depression Inven tory score; however, there were no significant changes in the results of urine toxicology tests for cocaine (qualitative and quantitative) o r self-reported drug craving These results suggest that the combinatio n of bupropion and bromocriptine may be safe and have some efficacy in treatment of cocaine dependence.