Comparative Study Of Verapamil And Amytriptyline In Acute Opioid Abstinence Syndrome

Authors

  • Muhammad Yousuf Salat
  • Naseer Baloch
  • Musarrat Sultana
  • Syed Saud Hasan
  • Sheikh Nadeem Ahmed

Keywords:

Opioids, In-patients Verapamil, Amitriptyline, Acute abstinence syndrome

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of verapamil and amitriptyline in the treatment of acute opioid withdrawal syndrome in patients with chronic dependence on opioids. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at Psychological Medicine Ward, Civil Hospital Karachi and Arshi Hospital, Naseerabad, F.B.area, Karachi. A total of forty (40) patients were admitted for ten (10) days in hospital. No treatment was given during the first two days of admission after abrupt termination of opioid to observe the acute opioid withdrawal signs and symptoms. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Each group had 20 opiate addicts. One group was given verapamil orally in a 40mg dose thrice daily and the other group was given amitriptyline orally in a 10mg dose thrice daily from day 3 to day 9 of admission. The intensity of signs and symptoms were recorded by using subjective and objective opiate withdrawal questionnaire. Urine analysis for opioids was done on day 1, 5 and 10 of admission. Results: Verapamil in comparison to amitriptyline significantly decreased the intensity of signs and symptoms of acute opioid withdrawal from day 4 to day 10 of admission. Urine analyses for opioids were positive on day 01 while zero on day 10. Conclusion:Verapamil in comparison to amitriptyline was found to be safe and effective for the treatment of signs and symptoms of acute opioid withdrawal in in-door patients without any significant side effects. 

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Published

2015-03-03

How to Cite

Salat, M. Y. ., Baloch, . N. ., Sultana, . M. ., Hasan, . S. S. ., & Ahmed, S. N. . (2015). Comparative Study Of Verapamil And Amytriptyline In Acute Opioid Abstinence Syndrome. Journal of Bahria University Medical and Dental College, 5(1), 32–36. Retrieved from https://jbumdc.bahria.edu.pk/index.php/ojs/article/view/101

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2015): Volume 5 issue 1

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Original Articles

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Copyright (c) 2015 Muhammad Yousuf Salat, Naseer Baloch, Musarrat Sultana, Syed Saud Hasan, Sheikh Nadeem Ahmed

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