Baclofen versus clonidine in the treatment of opiates withdrawal, side-effects aspect: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

Objective: Baclofen is known for the alleviation of signs and symptoms of s pasticity. Reports from our previous study have suggested that it may be at least as effective as clonidine in the management of physical symptoms of opiate withdrawal syndromes and superior to clonidine in the management of mental symptoms. We now report on a randomized double-blind comparison of b aclofen vs. clonidine in view of side-effects profile. Methods: A total of 62 opiates addicts were randomly assigned to treatment with baclofen or clonidine during a 14-day, double-blind clinical trial. Al l patients met the DSM IV criteria for opioid dependence. Maximum daily dos es were 40 mg for baclofen and 0.8 mg for clonidine. This trial medication was given three times per day in divided doses. The severity of side-effect s was measured in days 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 14. Results: There was no significant difference between two treatments in term s of retention in treatment (dropout) and overall side-effect. Nevertheless , significantly more problems relating to hypotension were encountered with subjects on clonidine. Conclusion: We conclude that, the low incidence of hypotension with baclofe n suggests that the drug may be suitable for outpatient ambulatory treatmen t of withdrawal from opiates.