RAPID DETOXIFICATION OF HEROIN DEPENDENCE BY BUPRENORPHINE

AIM: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of buprenorphine (Bup) in treat ment of acute heroin withdrawal. METHODS: BuP Was given sublingually d aily to 60 cases of heroin addicts in 3 groups: low, medium, and high doses. Withdrawal signs and symptoms of heroin were rated by Clinical Institute Narcotic Assessment. Craving for heroin during detoxificatio n was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale. The side effects of Bup was a ssessed by Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale. RESULTS: The mean daily c onsumption of Bup in low, medium, and high group was 2.0, 2.9, and 3.6 mg, respectively. Bup not only suppressed objective signs and withdra wal symptoms for heroin withdrawal, but also reduced the duration for heroin detoxification over 7 - 8 d. CONCLUSION: BuP is an effective an d rapid detoxification agent with fewer side effects for treatment of acute heroin withdrawal.