A Preliminary, Controlled Investigation of Magnesium L-Aspartate Hydrochloride for Illicit Cocaine and Opiate Use in Methadone-Maintained Patients

Based on preclinical studies suggesting that magnesium (Mg) reduces cocaine selfadministration and potentiates the antinociceptive effects of morphine, we conducted a preliminary randomized clinical trial investigating Mg for the treatment of illicit cocaine and opiate use. Eighteen methadonemaintai...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of addictive diseases 2003-01, Vol.22 (2), p.49-61
Main Authors: Margolin, Arthur, Copenhaver, Michael, Avants, S. Kelly, Kantak, Kathleen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aspartic Acid - blood
Aspartic Acid - therapeutic use
Biological and medical sciences
Cocaine
Cocaine-Related Disorders - drug therapy
Cocaine-Related Disorders - rehabilitation
Drug abuse
Drug addictions
Drug Administration Schedule
Female
Humans
magnesium
Male
Medical sciences
methadone
Methadone - therapeutic use
Narcotics - therapeutic use
opiates
Opioid-Related Disorders - drug therapy
Opioid-Related Disorders - rehabilitation
Patient Compliance
Patients
Street Drugs
Toxicology
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Summary:Based on preclinical studies suggesting that magnesium (Mg) reduces cocaine selfadministration and potentiates the antinociceptive effects of morphine, we conducted a preliminary randomized clinical trial investigating Mg for the treatment of illicit cocaine and opiate use. Eighteen methadonemaintained patients who used illicit opiates and cocaine received either Mg (732 mg/day) or placebo for 12 weeks. Overall, findings showed that the percentage of urine screens testing positive for opiates in the Mg group (22.6%) was half that of the placebo group (46.4%), p =.04; the difference was even greater in the "medication compliant" sample (Mg: 16.3%, placebo: 47.9%), p =.02. Cocaine craving was lower in the Mg compared to the placebo group, but there was no difference between groups in cocaine use. These preliminary findings suggest that Mg may have a beneficial effect for reducing illicit opiate use. It is possible that a higher dose of Mg than was used in this study may be needed to decrease cocaine use.
ISSN:1055-0887
1545-0848
DOI:10.1300/J069v22n02_04