Desipramine, amantadine, or fluoxetine in buprenorphine-maintained cocaine users

J Subst Abuse Treat. 1995 Nov-Dec;12(6):423-8. doi: 10.1016/0740-5472(95)02015-2.

Abstract

The clinical efficacy of promising cocaine anti-craving medications was examined in combination with buprenorphine. Twenty-one opioid-dependent cocaine abusers were enrolled in a double-blind, 12-week trial in which they received on a daily basis buprenorphine (8 mg, s.l.) plus either desipramine (150 mg, p.o.), amantadine (300 mg, p.o.), or fluoxetine (60 mg, p.o.). Urine samples and self-reported drug use were obtained 1-3 times/week. The order of greatest patient retention across the 12 weeks was desipramine (83.3%) > amantadine (66.7%) > fluoxetine (20.0%). The desipramine and amantadine groups appeared to have greater increases in opioid- and cocaine-free urines than the fluoxetine group. These results suggest that desipramine and amantadine may facilitate greater opioid and cocaine abstinence than fluoxetine.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amantadine / adverse effects
  • Amantadine / therapeutic use*
  • Buprenorphine / adverse effects
  • Buprenorphine / therapeutic use*
  • Cocaine*
  • Desipramine / adverse effects
  • Desipramine / therapeutic use*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Fluoxetine / adverse effects
  • Fluoxetine / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Narcotic Antagonists / adverse effects
  • Narcotic Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Substance Abuse Detection
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Fluoxetine
  • Buprenorphine
  • Amantadine
  • Cocaine
  • Desipramine