Propoxyphene napsylate maintenance treatment of narcotic dependence: use of a non-methadone model

One hundred seventy-eight (178) heroin addicts entered propoxyphene napsylate (PN) maintenance. Patients attended a general medical clinic two times each week and took home a three- to four-day supply of PN which was usually taken in doses of 300 to 400 mg three to four times per day. Over a 21-month period, the subjects entered and re-entered PN treatment 166 times (1.5 times per patient) and remained a mean of 10.6 weeks per treatment. A comparison with a group of methadone maintenance patients indicated similar performance in employment and heroin use. The ability to take PN, attend a clinic less often than daily, and discontinue and re-enter treatment on a discretionary basis is preferred treatment approach for some narcotic addicts.