Lofexidine Reduces Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms in Phase 3 Studies

Data from a pooled analysis presented at the American Psychiatric Association’s Annual Meeting, concluded that lofexidine (LUCEMYRA) safely reduces opioid withdrawal symptoms at 3.2 mg/day and 2.4 mg/day to a clinically meaningful extent, facilitating opioid discontinuation treatment.

Investigators from US WorldMeds extracted data from 2 phase 3 placebo-controlled studies that evaluated withdrawal symptoms during the first 7 days of withdrawal from short-acting opioids (heroin or opioid analgesics).

“A better understanding of opioid withdrawal represents an opportunity in the prevention, treatment and recovery process for physical opioid dependence and opioid use disorder,” co-author, Mark Pirner, MD, PhD, Senior Medical Director, Clinical Research and Medical Affairs, US WorldMeds, told MD Magazine. “The lofexidine data demonstrate that, compared with placebo, study participants treated with LUCEMYRA experienced less severe withdrawal symptoms and were significantly more likely to complete opioid withdrawal treatment.

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