Clinical experiences with 959 opiod-dependent patients treated with levo-alpha-acetymethadol (LAAM)

摘要: Levo-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM) is an orphan drug that will soon be generally available to treatment facilities. We have recently treated 959 opioid addicts with LAAM for periods up 36 consecutive months. Three times per week dosing of proved a safe and effective agent the majority subjects. During induction there delay in activity as forms its long-acting metabolites, therefore, symptomatic withdrawal medication must usually administered during first 96 hours adequately suppress symptoms prevent self-administration drugs by patient. No long-term hepatic toxicity or tumor formation could demonstrated liver function studies liver-spleen imaging subgroup patients. Some report they prefer over methadone, but reverse was reported about 40% our patients which suggests both are needed adequate maintenance opioid-addicted population.