Titel | Gamma-hydroxybutyrate detoxification by titration and tapering. |
Publicatietype | Journal Article |
Jaar van publicatie | 2012 |
Auteurs | DeJong CA, Kamal RM, Dijkstra BAG, de Haan HA |
Uitgave | Eur Addict Res |
Volume | 18 |
Nummer | 1 |
Pagina's | 40-5 |
Publicatiedatum | 2012 |
ISSN | 1421-9891 |
Trefwoorden | Adult, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Drug Administration Schedule, Female, Humans, Male, Neurotransmitter Agents, Pilot Projects, Sodium Oxybate, Substance Abuse Treatment Centers, Substance Withdrawal Syndrome, Substance-Related Disorders, Treatment Outcome, Young Adult |
Samenvatting | OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness and safety of a new detoxification procedure in γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)-dependent patients. GHB is an endogenous inhibitory neurotransmitter and anesthetic agent that is being abused as a club drug. In many GHB-dependent patients a severe withdrawal syndrome develops that does not respond to treatment with high dosages of benzodiazepines and often requires an admission to an intensive care unit. METHODS: Based on the knowledge of detoxification procedures in opioid and benzodiazepine dependence, we developed a titration and tapering procedure. A consecutive series of 23 GHB-dependent inpatients were transferred from illegal GHB (mostly self-produced) in various concentrations to pharmaceutical GHB. They were given initial doses that resulted in a balance between sedation and withdrawal symptoms. After this titration period, patients were placed on a 1-week taper. RESULTS: We have found that after titration the patients experienced a low level of withdrawal symptoms. During tapering these symptoms decreased significantly and no patient developed a delirium or a psychosis. None of the patients had to be transferred to a medium or intensive care unit. CONCLUSIONS: This detoxification procedure proved to be safe and convenient in patients with moderate to severe GHB dependence. |
DOI | 10.1159/000333022 |
Alternatieve uitgave | Eur Addict Res |
PubMed ID | 22142784 |