Treatment of opioid use disorder with ibogaine: detoxification and drug use outcomes.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Prospective single-arm observational cohort study without a control group.
PubMed 28541119 · doi:10.1080/00952990.2017.1320802
What was done
In an observational study, 30 participants (25 males, 5 females) with DSM-IV Opioid Dependence received a mean total dose of 1,540 ± 920 mg ibogaine HCl. Participants reported baseline oxycodone use (n = 21; 70%; 250 ± 180 mg/day) and/or heroin use (n = 18; 60%; 1.3 ± 0.94 g/day), with an average of 3.1 ± 2.6 previous treatment episodes. Detoxification was assessed using the Subjective Opioid Withdrawal Scale (SOWS) before treatment and at 76.5 ± 30 hours posttreatment. Follow-up outcomes at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months were evaluated using Addiction Severity Index Composite (ASIC) scores.
What was found
SOWS scores decreased from 31.0 ± 11.6 pretreatment to 14.0 ± 9.8 posttreatment (t = 7.07, df = 26, p < 0.001). At 1-month follow-up, 15 subjects (50%) reported no opioid use in the preceding 30 days. ASIC Drug Use, Legal, and Family/Social Status scores improved significantly relative to baseline at all time points (p < 0.001). Drug Use score improvement was maximal at 1 month and sustained from 3 to 12 months at levels below the 1-month peak.
Why it matters
This study provides prospective observational data on opioid withdrawal and up to 12-month drug use outcomes following ibogaine administration in individuals with previous treatment failures.
Limits
The study lacks a comparison or control group, leaving room for placebo effects, natural recovery, or concurrent lifestyle changes. The sample size is small (n = 30). Outcomes are based on subjective self-report without mentioned biological confirmation (such as urine drug screens) in the abstract. Safety, adverse events, and attrition rates across follow-up time points are not detailed.
Cited by
- supports Ibogaine provides therapeutic benefit for opioid use disorder and alcohol addiction in individuals who have failed other treatments.