Treatment of acute opioid withdrawal with ibogaine

This series of open-label case studies (n=33) investigated the efficacy of ibogaine (0.42 to 2,03g/70kg) to treat acute withdrawal in patients with opioid dependence. Based on the diagnostic observations of two principal investigators, seventy-six percent of the patients in this series were reportedly free of opioid withdrawal signs and symptoms at 24 hours and did not seek drugs over the period of observation of 72 hours. Observations warrant future investigations to assess the efficacy of ibogaine to treat opioid withdrawal more reliably in controlled clinical studies.

Abstract

“Introduction: Ibogaine is an alkaloid with putative effect in acute opioid withdrawal.

Methods: Thirty-three cases of treatments for the indication of opioid detoxification performed in non-medical settings under open label conditions are summarized involving an average daily use of heroin of. 64 +/-. 50 grams, primarily by the intravenous route.

Results: Resolution of the signs of opioid withdrawal without further drug seeking behavior was observed within 24 hours in 25 patients and was sustained throughout the 72-hour period of posttreatment observation. Other outcomes included drug seeking behavior without withdrawal signs (4 patients), drug abstinence with attenuated withdrawal signs (2 patients), drug seeking behavior with continued withdrawal signs (1 patient), and one fatality possibly involving surreptitious heroin use.

Discussion: The reported effectiveness of ibogaine in this series suggests the need for systematic investigation in a conventional clinical research setting.”

Authors: Kenneth R. Alper, Howard S. Lotsof, Geerte M. N. Frenken, Daniel J. Luciano & Jan Bastiaans