Clinical Studies of Cyclazocine in the Treatment of Narcotic Addiction
ALFRED M. FREEDMAN M.D.1,
MAX FINK M.D.2,
ROBERT SHAROFF M.D.3, , and
ARTHUR ZAKS M.D.4
1 Professor and chairman, Department of psychiatry, New York Medical College—Metropolitan Hospital Medical Center, 5 East 102nd Street, New York, N. Y. 10029
2 Professor, Department of psychiatry, New York Medical College—Metropolitan Hospital Medical Center, 5 East 102nd Street, New York, N. Y. 10029
3 Associative Professor, Department of psychiatry, New York Medical College—Metropolitan Hospital Medical Center, 5 East 102nd Street, New York, N. Y. 10029
4 Psychiatric resident, Department of psychiatry, New York Medical College—Metropolitan Hospital Medical Center, 5 East 102nd Street, New York, N. Y. 10029
Cyclazocine, a long-acting narcotic antagonist, was found to be safe and useful in the treatment of narcotic addicts in a voluntary municipal hospital. Treatment induction in 15 days to a daily maintenance dose of 4.0 mg. was well tolerated. That dosage effectively blocked clinical and EEG effects of challenges with 15 mg. of intravenous heroin, administered in two minutes, for periods greater than 24 hours. Cyclazocine treatment permits "engagement" and continuity of rehabilitation and resocialization efforts, and provides a useful alternative to the methadone maintenance treatment model.
