Cocaine abuse treatment. Open pilot trial with desipramine and lithium carbonate

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1984 Sep;41(9):903-9. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.1984.01790200085011.

Abstract

We conducted an open clinical trial of desipramine hydrochloride or lithium carbonate as adjuncts to psychotherapy in cocaine abusers. Subjects who were treated with desipramine hydrochloride showed marked decreases in a measure of cocaine craving after two to three weeks of treatment and became abstinent regardless of whether an affective disorder was also present. Lithium carbonate was effective only in cyclothymic subjects. Other subjects treated with lithium carbonate, as well as nonpharmacologically treated subjects, continued their cocaine use.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Cocaine*
  • Cyclothymic Disorder / drug therapy
  • Cyclothymic Disorder / psychology
  • Desipramine / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lithium / therapeutic use*
  • Lithium Carbonate
  • Male
  • Pilot Projects
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychotherapy
  • Substance-Related Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / therapy

Substances

  • Lithium Carbonate
  • Lithium
  • Cocaine
  • Desipramine