A new study shows that crystal methamphetamine addiction can be treated with a common and inexpensive drug, in a move that could represent a significant shift in dealing with this dangerous type of addiction.
Researchers from the National Centre for Drug and Alcohol Research at the University of New South Wales in Sydney have found that the drug mirtazapine, primarily used as an antidepressant, can significantly help reduce methamphetamine use among addicts.
These results came from a clinical trial known as "TENA," which showed that people who took the drug reduced the number of days they took it compared to those who received a placebo.
Methamphetamine is one of the most dangerous synthetic drugs with a powerful stimulant effect, while its crystalline form, known as "ice," is considered the purest and most potent. Approximately 7.4 million people worldwide suffer from methamphetamine use disorder, a chronic addiction linked to serious health risks such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure, as well as mental health disorders, suicide, and premature death.
There are currently no drugs specifically approved to treat this type of addiction, which makes these findings particularly important.
The study involved 339 individuals with moderate to severe addiction, who were randomly assigned to receive either mirtazapine at a daily dose of 30 mg or a placebo for 12 weeks. Participants had been using the drug for 24 out of 28 days prior to starting treatment.
By the end of the trial, the number of days of use decreased by an average of seven days for those who took mirtazapine, compared to a decrease of only 4.8 days for the other group, reflecting a significant improvement, although it is described as modest.
Researchers emphasize that this improvement, even if it seems limited, can have a positive impact on patients' health and quality of life, especially since many of them have never sought medical help before.
The results also showed that the drug was generally safe, although some side effects such as drowsiness and weight gain were reported in some participants.
Researchers believe that the importance of "Mirtazapine" is not limited to reducing drug use, but also extends to improving mood and sleep, two key factors that affect the continuation of addiction.
The research team hopes that these findings will help open the door to new and more integrated treatment options for people suffering from methamphetamine addiction.
The study was published in thejournal JAMA Psychiatry.
