The Use of Lofexidine by Drug Dependency Units in the United Kingdom

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Abstract
Data were collected on 1,074 opiate detoxifications conducted with lofexidine, from 40 drug dependency units in the United Kingdom. 671 patients (62.5%) attempted a detoxification in the community, with the remainder attempting an inpatient detoxification. Patients completing the detoxification started on a mean dose of 0.8 mg/day (median 0.6 mg/day), titrating to a mean dose of 2.2 mg/day (median 1.6 mg/day) and detoxifying in a mean of 10 days (median 10 days). Overall 614 patients (60.4%) successfully completed the detoxification. The most frequently recorded adverse events were dry mouth (5.3%), dizziness (8.5%) and sedation (6.6%). In conclusion, lofexidine is widely and successfully used to rapidly detoxify patients from a range of opiates.