Human Study. A DOUBLE-BLIND RANDOMIZED PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL OF LOFEXIDINE IN ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL: LOFEXIDINE IS NOT A USEFUL ADJUNCT TO CHLORDIAZEPOXIDE
Authors: Francis Keaney1; John Strang1; Michael Gossop1; E. Jane Marshall1; Michael Farrell1; Sarah Welch1; Britta Hahn1
Source: Alcohol and Alcoholism, Volume 36, Number 5, September 2001 , pp. 426-430(5)
Publisher: Oxford University Press
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Abstract:
— Lofexidine is an alpha-adrenoceptor agonist which has proved useful in opiate withdrawal and which, through its attenuation of noradrenergic activity, might be a valuable adjunct in the management of alcohol withdrawal. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical effectiveness and patient retention with adjunctive lofexidine versus placebo in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal under chlordiazepoxide cover. This was done in a prospective double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial with 72 alcohol-dependent adults referred and admitted for in-patient alcohol detoxification. The adjunctive lofexidine group experienced significantly more severe withdrawal symptoms, greater hypotensive problems, more adverse effects, and no better rates of retention in treatment. Lofexidine provides no discernible benefit as an adjunctive medication (to chlordiazepoxide) in alcohol detoxification and, on the basis of our study, appears to be contra-indicated.Document Type: Research article
Affiliations: 1: National Addiction Centre (Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London and The Maudsley Hospital), 4 Windsor Walk, London SE5 8AF, UK
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