Use of Levo-Alpha-Acetylmethadol (LAAM) in Methadone Patients Who Have Not Achieved Heroin Abstinence

• NCJ Number: 197943
• Journal: Journal of Addictive Diseases Volume: 21 Issue: 3 Dated: 2002 Pages: 13-22
• Author(s): Lisa Borg M.D.; Ann Ho Ph.D.; Aaron Wells M.D.; Herman Joseph Ph.D.; Phil Appel Ph.D.; David Moody Ph.D.; Mary J. Kreek M.D.
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 10 pages
• Grant Number(s): DA-P50-05130; DA-K05-00049; RO1-DA-10100
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article discusses the use of Levo-Alpha-Acetylmethadol in patients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment.

Abstract

The use of Levo-Alpha-Acetylmethadol (LAAM) in clinical patients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is the focus of this journal article. After introducing MMT as effective in eliminating continuous heroin abuse by preventing abstinence symptoms, the authors describe their pilot study, conducted from June 1997 to January 1998, with 12 patients who continued illicit opiate abuse after 11 months in MMT. Administration of LAAM, a longer-acting congener of methadone, to these clinical patients was assessed after 6 to 8 weeks of LAAM treatment. Results from the seven subjects who completed both the entire dosing schedule and the survey questionnaires indicate that plasma adrenocorticotropin concentrations in these patients were significantly increased in comparison to the methadone-only treated patients. Furthermore, two of the seven clinical LAAM patients were free of both illicit opiates and non-prescribed methadone at the end of the treatment period. The authors conclude that while acceptance of LAAM was high among patients, additional studies of the neuroendocrine aspects of LAAM treatment are needed in order to assess the long-term effectiveness of LAAM treatment. Figures, references