ABSTRACT
In a double-blind study, intravenous injection of naloxone, at a dose sufficient to saturate the opiate (endorphin) receptors, had no effect on sexual arousal, penile erection, ejaculation, or orgasm in a human subject. Apparently, endorphins are not involved in these phenomena.
Subject(s)
Endorphins/physiology , Libido/physiology , Orgasm/physiology , Adult , Double-Blind Method , Humans , Male , Naloxone/pharmacology , Receptors, Opioid/drug effects , Self-AssessmentABSTRACT
Patients in a methadone maintenance clinic were randomly assigned to two groups: one to have urine tests on-site (by the EMIT system) with immediate feedback of results to patients and staff; the other to have urine specimens sent away to an offsite laboratory for testing by thin-layer chromatography. Although other advantages might justify the adoption of on-site testing in methadone programs, the method appeared to have little or no therapeutic advantage over customary off-site testing. There were negligibly small differences between the groups with respect to illicit drug use.
Subject(s)
Heroin Dependence/rehabilitation , Heroin/urine , Methadone/therapeutic use , Adult , Chromatography, Thin Layer , Consumer Behavior , Feedback , Female , Humans , Immunoassay , Male , Patient Compliance , Time FactorsSubject(s)
Automobile Driving , Cannabis , Ethanol/pharmacology , Motor Skills/drug effects , Adult , Clinical Trials as Topic , Depression, Chemical , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Ethanol/blood , Female , Heart Rate/drug effects , Humans , Male , Pulse/drug effects , Surveys and Questionnaires , Task Performance and Analysis , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Patients in a methadone clinic were given knowledge and control of their own dosages. Dosages could be changed by 5 mg/week, but if more than 50 mg was used, no take-home privileges were allowed. The maximum dosage permitted was 120 mg. Plasma methadone levels were determined for some patients. The result of the study was that there was little dosage change, with the median dosage increasing from 40 to 50 mg at the end of six months. A small group of patients did raise their dosages systematically, and these patients tended to decrease illicit opiate use. There was no indication that these patients had abnormally low plasma methadone levels. At the end of six months, patients and staff overwhelmingly preferred an open-dose self-adjustment system over the usual procedure of dosage management by professional staff and dosage changes achieved by negotiation.
