The effects of adding topiramate compared with placebo in reducing withdrawal symptoms in opioid-dependent patients

This research aimed to assess the efficacy of Topiramate in reduction of opioid withdrawal symptoms in opioid-dependent patients. In this double-blind clinical trial in Mashhad (2012-13) the efficacy of added topiramate in patient undergoing methadone detoxification treatment for opiate withdrawal compared to placebo in duration of 2 weeks. The statistical community of addicted men addicts who referred to Addiction Unit of Ibn-e-Sina hospital. Forty two in-patients (20-61 years)، who met DSM-IV criteria for opiate dependence selected randomly، then they divided in to two groups randomly (topiramate 100 mg/day and placebo، during two weeks) under double-blind conditions. Measurement instrument of severity of subjective withdrawal symptoms was the Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scale that conducted at five stages (1st، 3rd، 5th، 7th and 14th days). The collected data analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistic test such as ANOVA and SPSS version 16. In both groups the severity of withdrawal symptoms decreased significantly but there was no significant difference in topiramate group compare to placebo (P>0. 05). Added Topiramate (100 mg/day for two weeks) compare to placebo did not lead to significant decrease in acute subjective withdrawal symptoms in opioid addicts.