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 veggie
Registered: 07/25/04
Posts: 6,508
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 Pill 'alternative' to methadone
#6345591 - 12/07/06 07:21 PM (1 year, 11 months ago) |
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Pill 'alternative' to methadone
December 8, 2006 - BBC
A pill that is both cheaper and safer than methadone has been found to be just as affective at treating heroin addicts, a new study has found.
The research into the prescription painkiller dihydrocodeine was carried out on Edinburgh drug users.
The joint study by the universities of Edinburgh, Napier and Adelaide found the tablet easier to store and less likely to cause a fatal overdose.
Methadone programmes have been criticised for their high cost.
Major implications
The three-and-a-half year study is the first time the effectiveness of dihydrocodeine has been tested.
It found that the pill could have major implications for drug user treatment programmes.
The study said dihydrocodeine should offer another option for treating users.
Dr Roy Robertson of the University of Edinburgh, who is the study's main author, said: "Just as with other chronic conditions there should be a number of treatments available so that doctors and nurses can tailor medication to the needs of each patient.
"Methadone should still be used to treat the majority of patients withdrawing from heroin and requiring maintenance treatment.
"But dihydrocodeine offers an alternative treatment for those who can't tolerate methadone, or find it hard to deal with the stigma of having to take their dose - sometimes every day - in a pharmacy."
About 20,000 people in Scotland are on methadone programmes.
The study said it was estimated that whereas methadone treatment can cost almost £1,500 annually per patient, the cost of dihydrocodeine is just £713.
Dihydrocodeine has been used by GPs and specialists for several years to treat drug users.
It is often preferred in situations where methadone is seen as hazardous, such as police custody or prison.
Dr Robertson, who also works as a GP, added that while there were less restrictions attached to the tablets it was still essential that treatment regimes were controlled and tailored to the individual.
The study, funded by the Chief Scientist Office, assessed 235 people requiring treatment for opiate dependency in Edinburgh.
The results are published in the current edition of Addiction.
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 I2ancid
josh hartnett,movie star actor
Registered: 10/05/03
Posts: 1,473
Loc: psycholand
Last seen: 1 year, 2 months
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Re: Pill 'alternative' to methadone [Re: veggie]
#6346147 - 12/07/06 09:56 PM (1 year, 11 months ago) |
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interesting... very... any word on when the treatment will be approved? or pending?
--------------------
I went to st thomas and camped out ontop of the island... Despite my entire family being poor all my life, the land is priceless.
I was chased by haitians in the main city charlotte amalie when my girlfriend and I got some cocaine for free in a bar and mixed it with alcohol, to form a stronger drug. With such confidence at 2am, we walked the 4-5 or so miles down to the beach where the african slaves lie like lions waiting on tourist prey.
The war isen't on drugs... the war is on the causes that influence people to abuse drugs. drug-abuse is a by-product of the system and much like radioactive waste occurs from utilizing nuclear power, drug addicts with drug-problems will need to be properly disposed of, like the decaying radioactive waste produced from nuclear energy. -i2ancid
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veggie
Registered: 07/25/04
Posts: 6,508
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Re: Pill 'alternative' to methadone [Re: I2ancid]
#6346267 - 12/07/06 10:39 PM (1 year, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
I2ancid said:
interesting... very... any word on when the treatment will be approved? or pending?
The treatment is used in Europe. As far as the USA, I don't know if it is being used for that purpose. But dihydrocodeine is a common medication and I'm sure many physicians do prescribe it for a methadone alternative.
What is approved in the USA is the drug buprenorphine which is an excellent alternative and just isn't prescribed enough. It has the ability to reduce cravings for opiates, without getting high, and without the overdose risk.
You may want to do more research on it. I'll refer you to articles posted in Shroomery News to get you started:
Drug helps beat the addiction
Pill unhooks heroin's claws, but few get it
Congress Lifts 30-Patient Bupe Limit
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