What Medications Are Prescribed to Treat Drug Withdrawal Syndrome?
Our drug detox program utilizes medication to manage your drug withdrawal syndrome symptoms. Medications for drug withdrawal include methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, clonidine, and lofexidine. Contact us to discuss your drug abuse treatment options and how our medical detox for drug addiction can jumpstart your transformative recovery.
Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting medication primarily used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to alleviate drug withdrawal symptoms and cravings, particularly those related to heroin and other opiates. This medication is taken orally and binds to receptors in the brain, helping to stabilize the body’s response to drug dependence.
It has a long life, allowing for once-daily dosing. Methadone use must be monitored closely by a healthcare professional to prevent potential side effects, risks of misuse, or overdose.
Buprenorphine (e.g., Suboxone, Subutex)
Buprenorphine is a medication used to treat drug addiction and help patients manage pain. It will lessen your drug cravings and is a great tool to help with withdrawal symptom management and decrease the risk of relapse. The common forms of buprenorphine include Subutex and Suboxone.
This medication can be administered as tablets, films, or extended-release injections. Potential side effects include insomnia, sweating, headache, nausea, and constipation.
Naltrexone
Since this medication is an opioid antagonist, it blocks the effects that a drug has on your brain. This includes positive feelings and pain relief, which is why it’s used to treat alcohol and opioid addiction. Naltrexone can be given as a tablet to take orally or in the form of an injection.
Naltrexone side effects can include dizziness, fatigue, nausea, headaches, anxiety, and insomnia. You will need to monitor your liver enzymes regularly because live damage from this drug withdrawal medication can occur.
Clonidine
Clonidine, which works by stimulating alpha-2 receptors in the brain, is used to treat a range of conditions, including attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), high blood pressure, pain management, and withdrawal symptoms. It is given orally as a tablet, injected, or as a transdermal patch for constant delivery.
The potential side effects are dry mouth, dizziness, drowsiness, constipation, and fatigue. It may not be best for patients with heart disease, those taking blood pressure medications, or if you have kidney problems.
Lofexidine
This medication is mainly used to treat withdrawal symptoms for drug dependence, and it is typically given on a very short-term basis during detoxification. It will help with the long-term effects of drug detox by making it easier to transition to other forms of treatment.
It is administered as a tablet and taken orally several times a day. In the United States, it is prescribed under the brand name Lucemyra. Side effects can include bradycardia, dry mouth, insomnia, dizziness, and low blood pressure.