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Laboratory Medicine
FDA approves the first non-opioid treatment for management of opioid withdrawal symptoms

Written by Levan Iashvili

 

The US FDA has approved Lucemyra (lofexidine), a nonopioid, for the mitigation of symptoms in the setting of abrupt opioid withdrawal in adults. The committee found the drug to be both safe and effective in reducing symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and an overall feeling of sickness that often keeps patients from successfully withdrawing from opioids.

Lofexidine is an oral, selective alpha 2-adrenergic receptor agonist that reduces the release of norepinephrine, which is believed to play a role in many of the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. The most common side effects seen with lofexidine include hypotension, bradycardia, somnolence and dizziness. Lofexidine was also associated with a few cases of syncope. Lofexidine may also raise the risk for abnormal heart rhythms.

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