8 A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Lofexidine for Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome

Treatment of opioid overdose in the emergency department is a commonplace event and may serve as an opportunity for patients to transition into long-term treatment of opioid use disorder. However, abrupt opioid cessation results in a severe opioid withdrawal syndrome (OWS) that may motivate patients to use opioids (Rx or illicit) rather than seek further treatment. Lofexidine (LFX) is an alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonist that counteracts the noradrenergic hyperactivity underlying OWS. LFX has been evaluated for treatment of OWS after abrupt withdrawal of short-acting opioids.

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