GAMMA-HYDROXYBUTYRIC ACID FOR TREATMENT OF OPIATE WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME

In a double-blind placebo-controlled trial, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) (25 mg/kg orally) suppressed most of the withdrawal symptomatolo gy in 14 heroin addicts and 13 methadone-maintained subjects. The GHB effect was prompt (within 15 minutes) and persisted for between 2 and 3 hours. Subsequently, the same patients received GHB in an open study every 2 to 4 hours for the first 2 days and 4 to 6 hours for the foll owing 6 days: most abstinence signs and symptoms remained suppressed a nd patients reported felling well. Urine analysis failed to detect any presence of opiate metabolites. No withdrawal symptomatology recurred after 8 days of treatment when GHB was suspended, and patients were c hallenged with an intravenous injection of 0.4 mg naloxonc. The result s indicate that GHB may be useful in the management of opiate withdraw al.