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Evaluation of Propranolol in Opiate Dependence

Alfred Smith, MD; Lee K. Schwartz, MD; Richard S. Kestenbaum, PhD; Richard B. Resnick, MD
[+] Author Affiliations

Accepted for publication Feb 21, 1975.

Reprint requests to Division of Drug Abuse Research and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, New York Medical College, 5 E 102nd St, New York, NY 10029 (Dr Resnick).


Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1976;33(8):993-997. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1976.01770080111011
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• Among the increasing number of recent reports of the use of β-adrenergic blocking drugs for a variety of psychiatric disorders is a series concluding that propranolol hydrochloride is efficacious in the treatment of opiate dependence. These reports were based on clinical observations of outpatient addicts in an uncontrolled situation. In order to validate these findings, we carried out a series of controlled, double-blind studies with hospitalized volunteers.

The results of our studies do not confirm the previous reports. Propranolol neither relieved nor precipitated opiate withdrawal in subjects dependent either on dihydromorphinone hydrochloride or on heroin. It did not effectively block heroin-induced euphoria in dependent or nondependent subjects. In addition, there was no effect on the pattern of self-administration in opiate-dependent subjects, whether they were maintained on propranolol or placebo.

REFERENCES

Jefferson JW:  Beta-adrenergic receptor blocking drug in psychiatry . Arch Gen Psychiatry 31:681-691, 1974;.
Grosz HJ:  Successful treatment of a heroin addict with propranolol: Implications for opiate addiction treatment and research . J Indiana State Med Assoc 65:505-509, 1972;.
Grosz HJ:  Narcotic withdrawal symptoms in heroin users treated with propranolol . Lancet 2:564-566, 1972;.
Grosz HJ:  Effect of propranolol on active users of heroin . Lancet 2:612, 1973;.
Resnick RB, Volavka J, Freedman AM, et al:  Studies of EN-1639A (Naltrexone): A new narcotic antagonist . Am J Psychiatry 131:646-650, 1974;.
Hollister LE, Prusmack JJ:  Propranolol in withdrawal from opiates . Arch Gen Psychiatry 31:695-698, 1974;.
Volavka J, Levine R, Feldstein S, et al:  Short-term effects of heroin in man . Arch Gen Psychiatry 30:677-681, 1974;.
Tyrer PF, Lader MH:  Response to propranolol and diazepam in somatic and psychic anxiety . Br Med J 2:14-16, 1974;.
Veress F, Major V, Fink M, et al:  High-dose tybamate therapy of heroin dependence . J Clin Pharmacol 9:232-238, 1969;.
Murmann W, Almirante L, Saccani-Guelfi M:  Central nervous system effects of four β-adrenergic receptor blocking agents . J Pharm Pharmacol 18:317-318, 1966;.

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Jefferson JW:  Beta-adrenergic receptor blocking drug in psychiatry . Arch Gen Psychiatry 31:681-691, 1974;.
Grosz HJ:  Successful treatment of a heroin addict with propranolol: Implications for opiate addiction treatment and research . J Indiana State Med Assoc 65:505-509, 1972;.
Grosz HJ:  Narcotic withdrawal symptoms in heroin users treated with propranolol . Lancet 2:564-566, 1972;.
Grosz HJ:  Effect of propranolol on active users of heroin . Lancet 2:612, 1973;.
Resnick RB, Volavka J, Freedman AM, et al:  Studies of EN-1639A (Naltrexone): A new narcotic antagonist . Am J Psychiatry 131:646-650, 1974;.
Hollister LE, Prusmack JJ:  Propranolol in withdrawal from opiates . Arch Gen Psychiatry 31:695-698, 1974;.
Volavka J, Levine R, Feldstein S, et al:  Short-term effects of heroin in man . Arch Gen Psychiatry 30:677-681, 1974;.
Tyrer PF, Lader MH:  Response to propranolol and diazepam in somatic and psychic anxiety . Br Med J 2:14-16, 1974;.
Veress F, Major V, Fink M, et al:  High-dose tybamate therapy of heroin dependence . J Clin Pharmacol 9:232-238, 1969;.
Murmann W, Almirante L, Saccani-Guelfi M:  Central nervous system effects of four β-adrenergic receptor blocking agents . J Pharm Pharmacol 18:317-318, 1966;.

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