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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2011, 13, 1 (pages: 15 - 20)

Effect of valproate on benzodiazepine withdrawal severity in opioid-dependent subjects: a pilot study

Vorma H., Katila H.

Summary: This study aimed to determine whether valproate is effective in treating benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms in subjects receiving opioid maintenance treatment. Thirty patients were randomly selected for benzodiazepine discontinuation with or without valproate. Twenty-eight subjects completed the treatment. No serious adverse events were reported. After randomization, the baseline median diazepam-equivalent doses were 60 mg in the valproate group and 30 mg in the control group. No statistically significant differences were found between the weekly mean withdrawal scores of the two groups; even so, we believe that valproate may be useful in treating benzodiazepine withdrawal in opioid-dependent subjects. More studies are needed to confirm this.