Detoxification Pharmacology

Rochelle Head-Dunham, M.D., FAPA

Medical Director,

Louisiana Office for Addictive Disorders

Goals & Objectives

Discuss general guidelines and considerations for withdrawal and detoxification

Discuss detoxification protocols

for three major classes of substances of dependence

Withdrawal Syndrome

The characteristic group of signs and symptoms that typically develop after a

rapid, marked decrease or discontinuation of a substance of dependence,

which may or may not be clinically significantly of life threatening.

Withdrawal Syndrome

Withdrawal severity and duration depend on several factors:

1. Nature of substance2. Half-life and duration of action3. Length of time substance used4. Amount used5. Use of other substances 6. Presence of other medical and psychiatric conditions 7. Individual biopsychosocial variables

The Clinical Assessment

The diagnosis of dependence is made through a careful patient history and physical examination, focusing on the following information:

Drug type, route and duration of use, symptoms with cessation and last use

Risk factors, symptoms and previous testing for blood-bourn pathogens

Past Medical History and review of symptoms of chronic use such as malnutrition, tuberculosis infection, trauma, endocarditis, and sexually transmitted diseases

Physical Examination to include vital signs, and cardiac status for evidence of fever, heart murmur, or hemodynamic instability; exam should focus on skin areas for scarring, atrophy, infection

Laboratory Evaluation should include a complete blood count, comprehensive chemistry panel, HIV testing, EKG, Chest x-ray, screening for STD’s

Urine Drug Screens and Breath Analysis (Alcohol)

Detoxification

The physiological process of withdrawal

from a substance of dependence

which requires medication management, careful monitoring, and

the availability of lifesaving emergency interventions.

Detoxification Levels of CareSeverity of Withdrawal dictates appropriate

level of care: Medical Detoxification (24-hour care, hospital

setting)* Medically Supported Detoxification (24 hour

care, non-hospital/residential setting with profession medical staff)

Social Detoxification (24 hour care, non-hospital/residential setting without professional medical staff)

*May occur in outpatient setting with skilled clinician.

DetoxificationGeneral Consideration1. High index of suspicion, non-judgmental

questions, careful screening and assessment

2. Anticipate inaccurate/minimized reports of use

3. Psychological withdrawal for all, physiological for some

4. All withdrawal syndromes not clinically significant

5. Dangerous syndromes: Alcohol, Sedative/hypnotic and Anxiolytic Withdrawal; Opiate withdrawal is extremely uncomfortable

DetoxificationGeneral Consideration (con’d)

6. Rule of thumb: Substitute long acting, cross-tolerant substance with gradual tapering by 10-20% per day

7. Use adequate dosages for comfort

8. Limit access to controlled substances

9. Detox alone is rarely adequate treatment

10. Management of co-morbid medical and psychiatric conditions

Role of Medication in Detoxification Stabilization of psychological or physiological

withdrawal symptoms Medical emergencies: Alcohol, Sedative-

hypnotics, Benzodiazepines, Remediation of non-life threatening, relapse-

triggering symptoms Stabilization of co-morbid conditions

ALCOHOL

Detoxification

Alcohol Withdrawal Autonomic dysfunction-Insomnia-Anxiety Onset 8+ hrs, Peak 48hrs, Diminished 5dys, Duration

3-6 months Withdrawal Syndromes:1. Mild, moderate or life-threatening severity (increased

severity with BAL>100mg/dl)2. 3% Withdrawal Seizures (w/in 48hrs of abstinence)3. Delirium Tremens (DTs) – Medical Emergency! (w/in 48-72hrs of abstinence)

(4-5% Prev., M&M<5% w/o tx, <1% w/tx)

Withdrawal Assessment Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment-Alcohol, revised (CIWA-Ar) Nausea Tremor Diaphoresis Anxiety Auditory disturbances Orientation Agitation Tactile disturbances Visual disturbances Headaches

Withdrawal Severity: 0 (not present) to 67 (extreme); Higher = >risk

8-10 Mild –Supportive, no Meds

(i.e. Social Detox) 10-15 Moderate - Some meds (BZP)

(i.e. Medically Supported Detox) 15/> Severe - DT Risk

(i.e.. Hospitalization)

N.B. May also be used to monitor recovery and medication management

Sample Medication ProtocolDays 1-2 : Lorezepan 1-2 mg three times a dayDays 3-4: Lorezepam 1-2 mg twice dailyDay 5: Lorezepam 1-2mg, daily *Adjust dosage and duration for intoxication or

prolonged withdrawal

Adjunctive treatments:1. Seizure history: Tegretol 200mg/Neurontin 400mg (5dy taper)2. Sympathetic activity: Clonidine 0.1-0.2q8hrs (3-5dys)3. Fluids, MVI, Thiamine4. Manage co-morbid conditions

BENZODIAZEPINES

General Consideration

Sedative-hypnotic (Benzodiazepine) Detoxification

Symptoms similar to alcohol but no objective measure/scoring system

High risk of delirium, seizures and death requires treatment

Sub-clinical symptoms may persist for months Tolerance develops within 3-4 weeks of regular

use Onset of withdrawal symptoms determined by

half-life of compound

Benzodiazepine

Detoxification guidelines: Slow-tapering of the compound or use of a

longer acting benzodiazepine recommended(i.e., Clonazepam TID with 10% tapering daily)

Sedatives for insomnia (i.e. antidepressants) Avoid beta blockers (mask symptoms) Anti-seizure medications adjusted and

monitored

OPIATES

Opiate Indications for Use

1. Addiction Maintenance Therapy Methadone (Pure Mu Opioid Agonist) Naltrexone (Opioid Antagonist) Buprenorphine (Opioid Agonist- Antagonist) (N.B. LAMM now Minimally Available)

2. Pain Management

Opiate Detoxification

Key Considerations: Medical Detoxification = Standard of Care Methadone short-term substitution therapy =

the preferred method of detoxification, but… Goal of treatment = reducing withdrawal

discomforts, with or without Methadone or Narcotic Substitution

Opiate Detoxification

Key Considerations (con’d): Comprehensive, long-term treatment is equally

important as alleviating acute symptoms Fear and Anticipatory Anxiety = predominate

emotional responses to detoxification Counseling prior to detoxification is necessary

(i.e. expectations of withdrawal, treatment planning, patient responsibilities…)

Treatment should be: individualized, reviewed and approved by a physician

Opiate Detoxification andPregnant Women

CONTRAINDICATED!

Methadone maintenance is the recognized standard of care for decreased risk of

miscarriage and premature labor.

Opiate Withdrawal Syndrome1. Not life threatening,

Extremely uncomfortable

2. Symptom onset and duration, half-life dependent

3. Common Sns & Sxs: Yawning Sweating Tearing Abdominal Cramps

Nausea and/vomiting Diarrhea Weakness Dilated Pupils Goose bumps Muscle twitching aches and

pain Anxiety Insomnia Increased pulse Increased Resp rate Elevated Blood pressure

Opiate DetoxificationPharmacological Guidelines (cont.)Naltrexone Only opioid antagonist approved in the United

States Used for rapid detoxification due to accelerated

binding and blocking of mu receptors, precipitating a profound withdrawal

Limitation: must be administered in hospital or supervised environment when prescribed for rapid detoxification

Opiate Detoxification

Advantages of Methadone Daily dosing due to 24 hour half-life, requiring

slower tapering schedule Long half-life safe for all opiates Safe in pregnancy May be used in combination with other medications

for co-occurring disorders or mild withdrawal symptoms

Decreases morbidity and mortality, hepatic damage, and HIV

Exception: licensing requirements, very addictive

Opiate Detoxification

Methadone Guidelines: Stabilize Withdrawal: 5-10 mg prn every 4-6

hours to control objective signs of withdrawal Monitor respiratory depression and excessive

sedation until stabilized Detoxification: Reduce by 10%/day after

stabilized for 2-3 days Clonidine 0.1-0.2mg/day for duration

Opiate DetoxificationLevels of Care Inpatient Setting1. Duration: 4-7 days

2. Usual dose to suppress symptoms: 30-40mg/day Methadone

3. Immediate Referral to drug-free treatment setting

4. Clonidine (Catapres) can be considered an effective alternative treatment for inpatient opioid detoxification but not outpatient

Outpatient Setting1. 21 day protocol sufficient

for most stable, motivated patients

2. 180 day protocol, done within an opioid agonist therapy program, should be considered to work on patients’ early recovery problems, while stabilized on relatively low dose (50-60mg) Methadone

Opiate Detoxification

Buprenorphine

History: October 2000amended Control Substance Act: 30 patient/MD max for opioid dependence treatment, with DEA waiver; Goal: accessibility, expanded treatment capacity

Partial mu agonist antagonist: ceiling effect (safer), sublingual absorption, Suboxone preferred

Dosing instructions dependent on half-life of substituted opiate

Average tolerable maintenance dose is 4-32 mg SL/day to every 3rd day

Detox at 10%/day as tolerated

Opiate DetoxificationPharmacological Guidelines (cont.)Adjunctive Treatments Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents for pain and fever

(i.e. Tylenol, Aleve) Alpha-adrenergic blocker for sympathetic hyperactivity

such blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps and sweating

(i.e. Clonidine/Catapres) Antidiarreals and anti-emetics to control gastrointestinal

symptoms (i.e. Bentyl, Phenergan) Antidepressants/Antipsychotic for dysphoria, anxiety and

insomnia (i.e. Trazedone/Elavil/Seroquel with/without Lexapro)

Psychotropics for co-morbid psychiatric conditions along with medications for medical conditions

Concluding Comments

1. All withdrawal syndromes are not clinically significant

2. Dangerous syndromes: Alcohol, Sedative/hypnotic and Anxiolytic withdrawal; Opiates withdrawal, extremely uncomfortable

3. Substitute long acting, cross-tolerant substance with gradual tapering by 10-20% per day

4. Detox alone is rarely adequate treatment

6. Management of co-morbid medical and psychiatric conditions