Amantadine in the treatment of cocaine-dependent patients with severe withdrawal symptoms

Objective: The study examined the effectiveness of amantadine in reducing c ocaine withdrawal symptoms and improving treatment outcome among cocaine-de pendent patients in outpatient treatment. Method: Sixty-one cocaine-dependent subjects participated in a double-blind , placebo-controlled trial of amantadine. Results: Among subjects with severe cocaine withdrawal symptoms at the star t of treatment, those who received amantadine used significantly less cocai ne during the trial than did subjects who received placebo. Compared to sub jects who received placebo, subjects who received amantadine submitted sign ificantly more benzoylecgonine-negative urine samples and used cocaine on s ignificantly fewer days during the trial. Conclusions: Amantadine may be an effective treatment for cocaine-dependent patients with severe cocaine withdrawal symptoms.