Effect of add-on gabapentin on opioid withdrawal symptoms in opium-dependent patients.

AIMS: Evaluation of the efficacy of gabapentin in patients undergoing out-patient treatment for opiate withdrawal.

DESIGN

A 3-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of adjunctive gabapentin in methadone-assisted detoxification (MAD).

SETTING

Specialized Addictive Behaviors Unit, an out-patient unit for the treatment of patients with an addictive disorder serving the city of Isfahan (Iran).

PARTICIPANTS

Forty out-patients, 37 males and three females, aged 21-61 years, who met DSM-IV criteria for opiate dependence.

INTERVENTION: Random assignment of subjects to receive adjunctive treatment with either gabapentin (900 mg/day) or placebo under double-blind conditions.

MEASUREMENTS: Severity of subjective withdrawal symptoms using the Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scale at six stages.

FINDINGS: Despite the superiority of gabapentin on controlling some of withdrawal symptoms, no significant differences were reported between two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Dosage of 900 mg/day of gabapentin is not significantly superior to placebo in controlling opiate withdrawal symptoms.