Muhammad Arif, Kausar Amir, Dhanani Mehar Ali, Asma Hidayat, Ahmad Hussain.
The role of Verapamil in treatment of Acute Opioid Abstinence Syndrome.
J Coll Physicians Surg Pak Jan ;12(4):243-6.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of calcium channel blocker, Verapamil, in the treatment of acut opioid withdrawal syndrome in patients with chronic dependence on opioids. Design: A clinical study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Azam Medical Centre, Federal `B` Area, Gulberg, Karachi from October 1999 to February 2000. Subjects and Methods : A total of 27 patients were admitted for 10 days in hospital. No treatment was given during first three days of admission after abrupt termination of opioid to observe the acute opioid withdrawal signs and symptoms. Then the verapamil was given orally to each patient in a 40 mg dose twice daily from day 4 to day 10 of admission. The intensity of signs and symptoms were recorded by using objective opiate withdrawal scale and modified subjective opiate withdrawal scale respectively. The physiological parameters were also recorded daily throughout patients stay in hospital. Urine analysis for opioids was done on day I and day 10 of admission. Results: Verapamil significantly decreased the intensity of signs and symptoms of acute opioid withdrawal from day 4 to day 10 of admission. There were no significant variation in physiological parameters. Urine analysis for opioids was positive on day 1 while zero on day 10. Conclusion: Verapamil was found to be safe and effective for the treatment of signs and symptoms of acute opioid withdrawal in indoor patients without any significant side effect.

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