Comparing the effects of verapamil and moxonidine in treatment of acute opioid abstinence syndrome

ABSTRACT

To compare the effectiveness of calcium channel blocker, verapamil and alpha two agonist, moxonidine in treatment of acute opioid withdrawal syndrome in patients with chronic dependence on opioids. Patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 had 27 patients, treated with verapamil 40 mg BID. Group 2 had 19 patients, treated with moxonidine 0.2 mg OD. All Patients were admitted for 10 days in hospital. Placebo was given during first three days of admission after abrupt termination of opioid to observed the acute opioid withdrawal signs and symptoms. Then the treatment was given to each patient daily from day 4 to day 10 of admission. The intensity of signs and symptoms were recorded by using objective opiate withdrawal scale and modified subjective opiate withdrawal scale respectively. The physiological parameters were also recorded daily throughout the patients stay in hospital. Urine analysis for opioids was done on day I and day 10 of admission. Verapamil and moxonidine both significantly decreased the intensity of signs and symptoms of acute opioid withdrawal from day 4 to day 10 of admission without any significant side effect but verapamil was found to be more efficacious than moxonidine. There was no undesirable variation in physiological parameters. Urine analysis for opioids was positive on day 1 while zero on day 10. Verapamil was found to be more effective than moxonidine for the treatment of acute opioid abstinence syndrome in indoor patients