An Australian study has tested the impact of dexamphetamine, a long-acting form of amphetamine, as medication to help users who were dependent on methamphetamine. This is thought to be the first study of its kind.
In a double blind study of 49 participants, patients were randomly allocated to either a treatment group or a placebo group. Patients attended daily for supervised consumption, and all the patients were offered the same psychosocial support.
The most statistically significant result was greater retention among patients prescribed the active medication. Both groups showed an easing of their dependence from the start to the end of treatment which was continued in the active treatment group after the treatment finished. During treatment estimated consumption of methamphetamine fell in both groups, a drop largely sustained at the final follow-up. These results were broadly confirmed by testing hair samples.
One experienced a serious side effect in the active treatment group – high blood pressure requiring a dose reduction.
The results suggest that a maintenance programme of daily sustained-release amphetamine is both feasible and safe, and improves engagement.
With thanks to Drug and Alcohol Findings; for more details:
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