Comparison of efficacy of thioridazine with clonidine acting through different mechanisms in acute opioid abstinence syndrome

ABSTRACT

To compare the efficacy, safety and tolerability of thioridazine with clonidine in patients with Acute opioid Abstinence Syndrome. This single blind comparative clinical trial was carried out at Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI], Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center [JPMC], Karachi. Fifty two addicts were selected randomly and were grouped into, group-A to received thioridazine 100 mg/day and group -B to received clonidine 150mcg/day. All participants completed the treatment program and stayed in hospital for ten days. The efficacy safety and tolerability of thioridazine was scant, while clonidine showed statistically significant turn down in the objective signs of acute opioid abstinence syndrome. Clonidine had more powerful effects than thioridazine. While treating the withdrawal signs of opioid abstinence syndrome may possibly pointed out that over activation of norepinephrine is a major factor contributes to the commencement of opioid abstinence syndrome