A comparison of aripiprazole, methylphenidate, and placebo for amphetamine dependence.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Problems related to illegal amphetamine use have become a major public health issue in many developed countries. To date, evidence on the effectiveness of psychosocial treatments has remained modest, and no pharmacotherapy has proven effective for amphetamine dependence.

METHOD:

Individuals meeting DSM-IV criteria for intravenous amphetamine dependence (N=53) were randomly assigned to receive aripiprazole (15 mg/day), slow-release methylphenidate (54 mg/day), or placebo for 20 weeks. The study was terminated prematurely due to unexpected results of interim analysis. An intention-to-treat analysis was used. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of amphetamine-positive urine samples.

RESULTS:

Patients allocated to aripiprazole had significantly more amphetamine-positive urine samples than patients in the placebo group (odds ratio=3.77, 95% CI=1.55-9.18), whereas patients who received methylphenidate had significantly fewer amphetamine-positive urine samples than patients who had received placebo (odds ratio=0.46, 95% CI=0.26-0.81).

CONCLUSIONS:

Methylphenidate is an effective treatment for reducing intravenous drug use in patients with severe amphetamine dependence.

• Authors: Jari Tiihonen, Kimmo Kuoppasalmi, Jaana Föhr, Pekka Tuomola, Outi Kuikanmäki, Helena Vorma, Petteri Sokero, Jari Haukka, Esa Meririnne
• Journal: The American journal of psychiatry (Am J Psychiatry) Vol. 164 Issue 1 Pg. 160-2 (Jan 2007) ISSN: 0002-953X [Print] United States
• PMID: 17202560 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Piperazines
• Placebos
• Quinolones
• Methylphenidate
• Aripiprazole
• Amphetamine

Topics

• Adult
• Amphetamine (urine)
• Amphetamine-Related Disorders (drug therapy, urine)
• Aripiprazole
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Methylphenidate (therapeutic use)
• Piperazines (therapeutic use)
• Placebos
• Quinolones (therapeutic use)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Substance Abuse Detection
• Substance Abuse, Intravenous (drug therapy, urine)
• Treatment Outcome