Opiate withdrawal using lofexidine, a clonidine analogue with fewer side effects

In an open clinical trial, lofexidine, an alpha-noradrenergic agonist similar to clonidine, was administered to 30 opiate-dependent outpatient volunteers following abrupt discontinuation of chronic methadone or levo-alpha acetylmethadol (LAAM). Lofexidine significantly reduced opiate withdrawal symptoms without the adverse sedative and hypotensive effects that limit the safety and usefulness of clonidine. Lofexidine might prove to be a safer and more effective nonopiate treatment for opiate withdrawal, especially for ambulatory outpatients; controlled studies are required to confirm this possibility.