Background: The scientific literature examining effective treatments for opioid dependent adults clearly indicates that pharmacotherapy is a necessary and acceptable component of effective treatments for opioid dependence. Nevertheless no studies have been published which systematically assess the effectiveness of the pharmacological detoxification among adolescents.
Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of any detoxification treatment alone or in combination with psychosocial intervention compared to no intervention, other pharmacological intervention or psychosocial interventions on completion of treatment, reducing the use of substances and improving health and social status.
Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (August 2008), MEDLINE (January 1966 to August 2008), EMBASE (January 1980 to August 2008), CINHAL (January 1982 to August) and reference lists of articles.
Selection criteria: Randomised and controlled clinical trials comparing any pharmacological interventions alone or associated with psychosocial intervention aimed at detoxification with no intervention, placebo, other pharmacological intervention or psychosocial intervention in adolescents (13-18 years).
Data collection and analysis: Two reviewers independently assessed trial quality and extracted data.
Main results: One trial involving 36 participants was included. It compares buprenorphine with clonidine for detoxification. No difference was found for drop out: RR 0.45 (95%CI: 0.20 - 1.04) and acceptability of treatment: withdrawal score WMD: 3.97 (95%CI -1.38, 9.32). More participants in the buprenorphine group initiated naltrexone treatment: RR 11.00 [95%CI 1.58, 76.55].
Authors' conclusions: It is difficult to draft conclusions on the basis of only one trial with few participants. Furthermore, the only study included did not consider the efficacy of methadone that is still the most frequent drug utilized for the treatment of opioid withdrawal. One possible reason for the lack of evidence could be the difficulty in conducting trials with young people for to practical and ethical reasons.