Clonidine in the management of heroin withdrawal

ABSTRACT

Clonidine is a compound which presumably induces its effect by activating so called alpha-2-receptors which are localized presynaptically on the noradrenergic neurons of the brain. By activation of these receptors the impulse generation in the noradrenergic neurons is reduced which in turn results in a reduced adrenergic influence on other neuron systems in the brain. As this impulse generation is held responsible for the manifestations of opioid withdrawal, clonidine was believed to be a suitable, nonaddictive drug for the treatment of opioid withdrawal. The current study was carried out on a group of heroin users in Saudi Arabia to test for the efficacy of the drug in withdrawal and its side effects and to confirm or disconfirm a dependency potential inherent in it. Our results recommend greater caution in prescribing drugs in the management of substance use patients