The use of levo-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM) in methadone patients who have not achieved heroin abstinence

Levo-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM) pharmacotherapy was offered to twelve patients who continued illicit opioid abuse after greater than or equal to eleven months in methadone maintenance treatment. After 6-8 weeks on LAAM, plasma concentrations of the norLAAM metabolite varied significantly by LAAM dosing day, plasma adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) concentrations were significantly increased compared to methadone, and two of the seven subjects remaining in LAAM treatment were free of illicit opioids and nonprescribed methadone. After one year, one of five remaining subjects was using illicit opioids, and three were using nonprescribed methadone. While subject acceptance of LAAM was high, subjects were not in a "steady-state," with evidence of ongoing illicit opioid abuse.