Tramadol versus methadone for treatment of opiate withdrawal: a double-blind,
randomized, clinical trial.
Author(s): Zarghami M, Masoum B, Shiran MR.
Affiliation(s): Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Department of Psychiatry,
Mazandaran, University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Sari, Iran.
Publication date & source: 2012, J Addict Dis. , 31(2):112-7
The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of tramadol versus
methadone for treatment of opiate withdrawal. Seventy patients randomly were
assigned in two groups to receive either prescribed methadone (60 mg/day) or
tramadol (600 mg/day). The withdrawal syndrome of patients was evaluated before
and after rapid opiate detoxification using the Objective Opioid Withdrawal Scale
(OOWS). No significant differences existed in overall OOWS scores between two
groups (P = 0.11). Dropout rates were similar in both groups. Side effects in the
tramadol group were as or less common than in the methadone group, with the
exception of perspiration. Tramadol may be as effective as methadone in the
control of withdrawal and could be considered as a potential substitute for
methadone to manage opioids withdrawal.
|