The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 271 No 7261 p169
9 August 2003

This article
Reprint
Photocopy

News summary

Related websites
BMJ (bmj.com)

Heroin prescribed for addicts

Two randomised controlled trials have found that co-prescription of inhaled heroin with methadone is more effective than methadone treatment alone, and probably just as safe. Researchers report considerable improvements in physical and mental condition and social functioning of addicts prescribed a combination of heroin and methadone, including substantial reductions in criminal behaviour, with few serious adverse effects (BMJ 2003;327:310).