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Opioid detoxification using naloxone

1997; Wiley; Volume: 16; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/09595239700186271

1465-3362

John Merrill, Ruth Marshall,

Pain Management and Opioid Use

Abstract A method of brief inpatient opioid detoxification using naloxone is described. Daily injections of naloxone were administered to 20 patients who were dependent on opioids until no physical withdrawal reaction occurred. A reducing regime of clonidine and diazepam was used to treat withdrawal symptoms. Seventy‐five percent of patients successfully completed detoxification within 6 days. Withdrawal symptoms were minimal and rapidly declined during treatment. Unlike other techniques using opioid antagonists detoxification with daily naloxone injections requires minimal medical supervision, enables full participation in a daily relapse prevention programme and results in discharge from hospital without medication for symptomatic relief.