Propranolol in the treatment of opiate dependence -- a controlled study

Two doublebling placebo controlled experiments designed to elucidate the alleged narcotic blocking effect of propranolol wer performed. In the first experiment, propranolol 40 mg or 20 mg was given together with methadone during the acute withdrawal phase of opiate addiction. The second experiment assessed whether 10 mg of propranolol, given 2 hrs before 30 mg of morphine i.v., reduced the euphoric effects of the latter drug. In none of the experiments could narcotic blocking effects be detected. The group receiving 40 mg propranolol during detoxification exhibited the highest proportion of patients staying for the whole prescribed detoxification period.