LEVO-ALPHA-ACETYLMETHADOL (LAAM) IN THE TREATMENT OF HEROIN-ADDICTS .1. DOSAGE SCHEDULE FOR INDUCTION AND STABILIZATION

One hundred and seventy-nine patients who were dependent on street narcotics were inducted onto LAAM. Ninety-two were inducted using a slow schedule: 20, 20, 30, 30, 40, 40, 50, 50, 60, 60, 70, 70, 75 mg on successive clinic visits (Mon., Wed., Fri.). Only 23% of the patients followed this schedule to 50 mg; 55% requested and received a faster induction. Eightyseven patients were inducted using a rapid schedule: 20, 30, 40, 40, 50 mg. This schedule was acceptable to the majority of patients and caused no complaints of overdosing. We suggest that this schedule be used in clinics where patients who have been shown to be dependent are inducted directly onto LAAM. © 1979.