J Psychoactive Drugs 2000 Jul ;32(3):277-284
AB - WeiniCom is a Chinese herbal compound. The purposes of this
double blind study were to evaluate (1) the efficacy of WeiniCom
in reducing acute opioid withdrawal symptoms and craving, and
(2) the side effects of WeiniCom, in each instance by comparing
WeiniCom with buprenorphine, an established opioid detoxification
treatment agent. Forty-two heroin addicts meeting the criteria
of dependence in DSM-IV were randomly assigned to two treatment
groups: a WeiniCom group (21 cases), and a buprenorphine group
(21 cases). The Withdrawal Symptom Rating Scale and the Craving
Rating Scale were employed to assess acute withdrawal symptoms
and craving for heroin, and the Side Effects Rating Scale was
used to measure side effects in the 14-treatment period. Both
the WeiniCom and buprenorphine treatments are well-tolerated and
very safe. Overall, the relief from opioid withdrawal symptoms
and craving was better in the WeiniCom group than in the buprenorphine
group. The rate of reduction in the severity of the withdrawal
symptoms was faster in the WeiniCom group than in the buprenorphine
group. By day nine to 10, the WeiniCom group showed very few withdrawal
symptoms. In contrast, from day five on, the buprenorphine group
continued to report relatively high scores for withdrawal symptoms
and craving. WeiniCom demonstrated positive effects quickly, and
required a shorter treatment period to achieve a desired degree
of elimination of acute withdrawal symptoms and craving
UR - PM:11061678
SO - J Psychoactive Drugs 2000 Jul ;32(3):277-284
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