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Bromocriptine in cocaine withdrawal--does it work?
1Clinical Institute, Addiction Research Foundation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The International Journal of the Addictions
|November 1, 1988
Summary
This study investigated bromocriptine for cocaine withdrawal, finding no evidence of dopamine depletion and only slight improvements in craving, likely due to placebo effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Heavy cocaine use may cause dopamine depletion, leading to intense cravings post-withdrawal.
- Bromocriptine, a dopamine agonist, was explored to mitigate cocaine relapse during withdrawal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of bromocriptine in preventing relapse in heavy cocaine users.
- To evaluate whether bromocriptine treatment indicates dopamine depletion during cocaine withdrawal.
Main Methods:
- An uncontrolled trial involving 25 heavy cocaine users.
- Measurement of serum prolactin levels before and after bromocriptine administration as a dopaminergic control indicator.
- Utilizing an assessment scale to gauge craving and subjective discomfort.
Main Results:
- Serum prolactin levels did not indicate dopamine depletion following bromocriptine treatment.
- A slight majority of patients (13/25) reported minor improvements in craving and discomfort.
- Observed improvements were likely attributable to placebo effects rather than bromocriptine's pharmacological action.
Conclusions:
- Bromocriptine treatment did not demonstrate a significant effect on dopamine depletion markers in heavy cocaine users.
- The study suggests bromocriptine is not effective in reducing cocaine craving or withdrawal symptoms beyond a placebo response.
- Further research with controlled trials is needed to clarify bromocriptine's role in cocaine dependence treatment.