Opiate withdrawal using clonidine. A safe, effective, and rapid nonopiate treatment

Abstract

Clonidine HCl was administered to 10 patients in an inpatient setting, after abrupt discontinuation of chronic methadone HCl administration. Clonidine produced a rapid and statistically significant decrease in opiate withdrawal signs and symptoms. Clonidine administration for 14 days enabled all patients to be suscessfully detoxified from chronic opiate administration. Clonidine was a safe and effective nonopiate treatment of opiate withdrawal that suppressed the affect, signs and symptoms of opiate withdrawal. The .alpha.2-adrenergic agonist, clonidine, has substantial antiwithdrawal effect by replacing opiate-mediated inhibition with .alpha.2-mediated inhibition of brain noradrenergic activity.