Elsevier

Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment

Volume 13, Issue 6, November–December 1996, Pages 493-497
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment

Research report
A controlled trial of imipramine for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0740-5472(96)00154-7Get rights and content

Abstract

At the Drug Detoxification Program of the Haight Ashbury Free Clinics, we conducted a randomized clinical trial of imipramine in the treatment of methamphetamine dependence. The purposes of the trial were to test the efficacy of imipramine as a treatment for methamphetamine dependence and to establish the feasibility of conducting a controlled clinical trial at the Clinic. Thirty-two subjects were randomly assigned to receive either 10 or 150 mg/day of imiprine for 180 days. Imipramine 10 mg/day was the control. Subjects received intensive counseling. Retention in treatment was significantly longer for subjects who were treated with 150 mg of imipramine compared to control (median days: 33.0 vs. 10.5). There were no consistent differences in percent of urine samples positive for methamphetamine, Beck Depression Inventory scores, or craving. Determination of the full extent of imipramine's utility in the treatment of methamphetamine dependence awaits a larger trial.

Keywords

methamphetamine
imipramine
randomized clinical trial
substance abuse
human immunodeficiency virus

Cited by (0)

This investigation was supported by grant R18 DA06145 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Rockville, MD.

2

The guidance of Walter Ling, m.d. and Donald Wesson, m.d. in the design and analysis of this trial is gratefully acknowledged. Lauren Woodruff provided invaluable assistance in the execution of this investigation.

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