Tai-Kang-Ning, a Chinese Herbal Medicine Formula, Alleviates Acute Heroin Withdrawal

Abstract

The efficacy and safety of Tai-Kang-Ning (TKN) capsule, a traditional Chinese medicine formula, for the treatment of acute heroin withdrawal syndrome were investigated by conducting a double-blind, double-dummy, positive-controlled, and randomized trial. Sixty-four patients with acute heroin withdrawal syndrome were recruited. These patients were treated with either TKN or lofexidine in a fixed schedule of doses for 10 days. The results indicate that both treatments significantly reduced withdrawal symptoms by day 3, but there was no significant difference overall between lofexidine and TKN in efficacy or safety. These results demonstrate that TKN is effective in the treatment of moderate-to-severe acute heroin withdrawal syndrome with mild adverse effects.

Tetrodotoxin alleviates acute heroin withdrawal syndrome: A multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

“…In China, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is also considered as an option in the treatment of heroin withdrawal symptoms. 23 It is not addictive, but because its effect is mild, it is not considered an ideal choice for more serious cases. Therefore, the search for safer and more effective means to treat heroin withdrawal symptoms is one of the most important research targets in this field.…”

“…If the reduction rate by the third day of treatment was > 50%, the treatment was considered to be effective, and if the reduction rate by the third day of treatment was £ 50%, the treatment was considered to be ineffective. 23 …”

Herbal Medicines for the Management of Opioid Addiction

“…[69] Improvement in symptomatology by treatment day 3 was achieved in both groups. [69] Improvement in symptomatology by treatment day 3 was achieved in both groups.…”

A Comparative Clinical Study of the Effects of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinniu Capsules and Lofexidine on Acute Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms

“…If necessary, estazolam and clonazepam were prescribed to patients with severely disordered sleep or extreme restlessness; benzodiazepines were used to treat delirium whenever necessary. Opiate Withdrawal Scale (OWS) was used to measure the severity of withdrawal symptoms (10). Symptoms were assessed before and 1 h after medicine administration each day.…”

“…Eligibility criteria for this study included: (1) a positive urine test for heroin, (2) an average dose less than 2 g/d abused in the last week, time elapsed since the last dose was less than 36 h, and (3) total score on the opiate withdrawal scale (OWS) was 65-140 (10). Exclusion criteria were: (1) abnormal liver or kidney function, (2) heart diseases with second or third degree heart function, or heart rate less than 50 rpm, (3) current gastric or intestinal ulcer, (4) severe psychiatric or neurological illness, and (5) pregnant/nursing females.…”