Self-administration of clonidine, oxazepam, and hydromorphone by patients undergoing methadone detoxification

The extent to which hydromorphone, clonidine, and oxazepam alleviate the symptoms of opioid withdrawal and the extent and pattern of self-administration of these drugs during methadone detoxification were examined within a residential laboratory in three groups of patients dependent on methadone. Six times over the course of detoxification, acute effects of orally administered placebo and a single active drug (hydromorphone HCI, 3 mg, clonidine HO, 0.3 mg, or oxazepam, 30 mg, all given twice daily) were tested, followed by an opportunity for subjects to self-administer the drug and dose of their choice. Hydromorphone significantly decreased opioid withdrawal symptoms and was more preferred for self-administration than the placebo. Clonidine and oxazepam did not significantly decrease withdrawal symptoms, nor was either drug self-administered significantly more than placebo. Clonidine, however, did induce side effects.