Clinical effect of dynorphin on heroin addicts.

This study assessed the clinical effectiveness, physiological responses and also adverse effects of dynorphin in heroin dependent detoxication. The subjects were randomly assigned into three groups and received intravenous injections of dynorphin at the dose of 180 (6 patients) or 60 (7 patients) or 0 (8 patients) micrograms/kg three times a day for 6 days. There was no statistical difference in withdrawal syndrome between each group. However, the drug craving feeling in the dynorphin groups was reduced when compared to the placebo group. There was no report of any adverse effects of the drug or abnormal laboratory results from the subjects during the study period.