Clonidine in Acute Opiate Withdrawal

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Abstract
To the Editor: Data that we reported previously from studies involving a small number of patients1 , 2 suggested that the alpha2-adrenergic agonist3 clonidine was a potent nonopiate treatment for opiate withdrawal. We have recent data from 75 methadone addicts that confirm these previous results.The subjects were 75 male opiate addicts who had been maintained on 15 to 80 mg of methadone for six months to 10 years. Patients were excluded if they had a history of psychiatric or medical illness.1 , 2 , 4 All gave written informed consent to participate in an inpatient study that involved abrupt discontinuation of methadone and . . .