Comparison of the suppressive effects of L-aspartic acid and chlorpromazine + diazepam treatments on opiate abstinence syndrome signs in men.

According to the hypothesis implying that the main reason of physical dependence on opiate is the inhibition of brain L-asparaginase activity and L-aspartic acid gradually decreases compulsory opiate intake so that physical dependence disappears by itself, 31 opiate addicts were given 8 g L-aspartic acid for 7 days after withdrawal from opiate and appearance of abstinence syndrome signs. The attenuations by L-aspartic acid of the abstinence syndrome signs were statistically compared with those obtained from other 12 opiate addicts received daily 50 mg chlorpromazine + 60 mg diazepam which have long been used to suppress abstinence syndrome because of their multiple receptor blocking and sedative effects. The intensity and duration of 13 signs out of 16 ones were found to be significantly more alleviated and shortened in the addicts treated with L-aspartic acid.