AMITRIPTYLINE VS. LORAZEPAM IN THE TREATMENT OF OPIATE-WITHDRAWAL INSOMNIA - A RANDOMIZED DOUBLE-BLIND-STUDY

Benzodiazepine use in the treatment of insomnia may cause benzodiazepi ne dependence, especially in opiate users. The aim of this study was t o investigate the sedative-hypnotic effects of amitriptyline in treati ng opiate-withdrawal insomnia. A total of 27 patients with opiate with drawal were given either amitriptyline or lorazepam in a randomized do uble-blind trial. Sleep was assessed by means of the Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire and three insomnia items of the Hamilton Depression Rati ng Scale. The scores of two sleep measures showed that all aspects of sleep, except for ease of awakening from sleep, in the two treatment g roups were not significantly different. In conclusion, apart from the hangover effect, amitriptyline is as effective as lorazepam in the tre atment of opiate-withdrawal insomnia.