Therapeutic usefulness of propoxyphene napsylate in narcotic addiction.

Abstract

The maximum doses of propoxyphene napsylate used to treat heroin addicts produce a degree of morphine-like activity equal to that produced by 20 to 25 mg/day of subcutaneously given morphine or 10 mg/day orally given methadone. This degree of activity wound be sufficient to ameliorate abstinence even in patients dependent on large doses of narcotics--an observation that supports the utility of propoxyphene napsylate in detoxification. On the other hand, only patients taking 10 mg/day or less of parenterally administered heroin could be maintained on maximum subtoxic levels of propoxyphene napsylate without abstinence signs or symptoms suggesting that propoxyphene napsylate would be less useful in maintenance therapy.

• Authors: D R Jasinski, J S Pevnick, S C Clark, J D Griffith
• Journal: Archives of general psychiatry (Arch Gen Psychiatry) Vol. 34 Issue 2 Pg. 227-33 (Feb 1977) ISSN: 0003-990X [Print] United States
• PMID: 14602 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Placebos
• Morphine
• Dextropropoxyphene

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Dextropropoxyphene (administration & dosage, adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Evaluation
• Heroin Dependence (rehabilitation)
• Humans
• Male
• Morphine (pharmacology)
• Morphine Dependence (drug therapy)
• Placebos
• Pupil (drug effects)
• Substance Withdrawal Syndrome (prevention & control)