Information on Britlofex (Lofexine) - an alpha-2 agonist used for opiate detox.

[Dickon]

I have taken this information from the britlofex.co.uk website. It has good specific information about lofexidine, and some more general detox tips. The information is copyright, but permission is given to display it here.

WHAT IS BRITLOFEX?

BritLofex is the brand name for lofexidine hydrochloride. It belongs to a group of medicines called alpha2 adrenergic agonists. BritLofex comes in a peach coloured tablet containing 0.2mg lofexidine.
BritLofex tablets are taken to relieve the symptoms you get when you stop taking an opiate, eg heroin, dihydrocodeine, methadone or buprenorphine. Symptoms may include chills, sweating, stomach cramps, muscle pain and runny nose.
– BritLofex is not an opiate
– BritLofex is not addictive
BritLofex is a Prescription Only Medicine supplied in the United Kingdom by Britannia Pharmaceuticals.


HOW DOES IT WORK?

The role of noradrenaline

In order to understand how BritLofex (lofexidine) works it is important to understand what opiates (eg heroin, methadone, dihydrocodeine etc) do to your brain. Opiates mimic natural feel good chemicals in the brain called endorphins, which are released when we are excited, exercising or in pain.
Endorphins have a natural partner called noradrenaline which is a chemical that is produced when we are very scared. It helps us to become fired up to either fight or run away from a threat. Normally there is a balance between the levels of endorphins and noradrenaline, and they live happily side by side.
Although similar to endorphins, opiates have a much stronger effect. You will be familiar with the pleasurable effects of opiates, such as the rush, being less bothered about pain or anxiety and the warm, contented feelings they can produce. You will probably have noticed some other effects like constipation and cough suppression.

What BritLofex does

When someone becomes dependent on opiates the natural balance between endorphins and noradrenaline is thrown out. When you stop taking opiates there is a mad rush of noradrenaline, and which adds to the feelings of withdrawal you experience (also known as ‘cold turkey’).
BritLofex (lofexidine) holds back the release of noradrenaline, helping to reduce withdrawal symptoms. BritLofex will not give you a buzz or stop you craving opiates. It will only help with the physical symptoms.
At the end of the course of BritLofex the natural endorphins in the body should be back in balance. At this point you should no longer be physically dependant on opiates. However, those people who still crave drugs and are not fully motivated to stay off them, could easily relapse. An opiate blocker may be prescribed towards the end or immediately after detox to help prevent this.

THE DETOX JOURNEY

Taking the first steps

Normally after a period of drug use people start to think about making changes. They may or may not be ready to come off drugs yet but there is probably something about their lifestyle or the way they use drugs that they may consider changing. It is possible that drug taking has led to problems in their life or missed opportunities.
People who seek help for a drug problem are sometimes looking for rapid change. Some people want an immediate detox but for others change may involve a period of stabilisation and maintenance which requires replacing the drugs used on the street with prescribed ones. The aim of these drugs is to mimic heroin but they need only be taken once a day. They may help in moving away from street opiates so that important life changes can be made. They may be seen as a stepping-stone towards a drug-free life.
Remember, detox from prescribed maintenance drugs may take a little bit longer than with heroin, because maintenance opiates tend to leave the body a little more slowly.

Thinking about coping through detox

Before undergoing detox it is important to prepare for the experience, what level of symptoms to expect and to plan the process and activities which will help in coping with them.
People undergoing detox should look after themselves emotionally. Staying on top of desires and craving is important and avoiding high stress, risky or tempting situations, people and thoughts. Keeping busy and having an activity schedule aimed at occupying the mind and promoting relaxation should help.
Physical care is also important – staying healthy by eating well and drinking plenty of fluids – which means eating a balanced diet with little junk food and reducing caffeine and alcohol.

BRITLOFEX DETOX

Getting Ready


Before starting to detox with it may help to think about the following points:

• Do I have support in place from my family or friends to help me during the detox and afterwards too?
• Am I certain I want to stop using opiates quickly?
• Am I ready to cope with some discomfort (especially during the first few days), and possibly sleep difficulties?
• Am I ready to cope with the emotional aspects such as anxiety which may appear during or after the detox?
• Am I clear about the dose I've been prescribed?
• Do I know what to do if I use opiates during the detox?
• Do I know what to do if I have any side-effects?
• Do I know what I can do to stay opiate-free and prevent myself from relapsing after the detox?

Remember: BritLofex is not the magic answer to opiate dependence. You may well still crave drugs and wish to use them after you have successfully detoxed. Therefore BritLofex should only be seen as part of a package of care aimed at getting you to the point where you don't use drugs any more.

Starting the detox

Your prescriber will explain how to stop using opiates. They will also tell you when and how often to take your BritLofex tablets.
The usual dose of BritLofex is four (0.2mg) tablets taken throughout the first day (0.8mg). The dose is then increased each day by up to four tablets according to the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. The maximum daily dose is 12 tablets (2.4mg). You should not take more than four tablets (0.8mg) as a single dose.
Sometimes the dosage may differ from this. For example, you may be prescribed a higher starting dose. Your prescriber will tell you the number of tablets you need to take each day.
BritLofex is usually taken for seven to ten days, however, sometimes it may be taken for a longer or shorter time. Your prescriber will tell you for how long to take the tablets.
When the withdrawal symptoms become less severe the daily dose of BritLofex can be reduced gradually. BritLofex tablets should never be stopped suddenly.

Important points to remember

Never stop your tablets suddenly; your blood pressure might rise if you do so. The dose should be lowered gradually over several days. Your prescriber or key worker will tell you how to do this.
After you have detoxed, your tolerance to opiates will drop very quickly. This means you could overdose accidentally just by using what was your normal amount of opiate before you detoxed.



ANY QUESTIONS?
Here are some questions that are often asked about BritLofex (lofexidine). The answers are linked below.

What are BritLofex and lofexidine?

BritLofex is the brand name for lofexidine. It is a non-opiate treatment which is used for the management of opioid withdrawal symptoms. BritLofex belongs to a group of medicines called alpha-2 adrenergic agonists.
BritLofex tablets are taken to relieve the symptoms you get when you stop taking an opiate. Symptoms may include chills, sweating, stomach cramps, muscle pain and runny nose.
BritLofex is not an opiate and is not addictive.

How many tablets will I have to take and for how long?

Every BritLofex detox is tailored to meet each person's requirements. You should take BritLofex as directed by your prescriber. The dose may be varied depending on how bad your withdrawal symptoms are expected to be.
At the end of treatment BritLofex should be reduced gradually over a number of days rather than stopped suddenly.

Why does the dose have to be built up at the start of the detox and gradually reduced at the end?

This is done for two reasons. Firstly, the dose is adjusted so that BritLofex can effectively manage the withdrawal symptoms you may experience. The second reason is that BritLofex may cause a blood pressure and/or pulse reduction in some people. Increasing and decreasing the dose over a few days should help your body get used to this effect.
It is important that you take the dose of BritLofex your prescriber recommends. This has been recommended for a reason. It is also important that you do not stop taking BritLofex suddenly.

Can BritLofex cause any side-effects?

All medicines sometimes cause side-effects in some people. BritLofex tablets may sometimes cause the following:
– dry mouth or throat
– dry nose
– sleepiness
– light-headedness or dizzyness upon standing
– slow heart beat
When you stop taking opiates, the withdrawal symptoms can make you feel unwell, however if you think that BritLofex is making you feel unwell, tell your prescriber or key worker.
What if I use opiates during my detox?
Let your prescriber or key worker know as soon as possible because you may have to extend the course of BritLofex for a few days to make sure your withdrawal symptoms don’t come back.

Will I have to take any other medications with BritLofex?

While the correct dose of BritLofex should control most of the physical symptoms ('cold turkey'), you may also be given some other medications to help. For example, if symptoms are particularly bad you may need some extra help with muscle cramps, diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting. You may also need help with sleep difficulties. For information on how to cope with sleep during an opiate detox see the Sleep Guide (Added as this thread http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92537 - Dickon)
Additionally, some people may also be prescribed an opiate blocker such as naltrexone towards the end or immediately after the detox. This works by blocking the effects of any opiate and helps to prevent relapse.

How can I avoid problems with sleep during detox?

Sleep disruption can be severe when detoxifying from any opiate, regardless of the type of detox medication you may be taking. Features include inability to get to sleep, restlessness, long periods of wakefulness, vivid dreams and not feeling refreshed by sleep.
If you are depressed, anxious, in pain or have a high level of nicotine dependence, you may experience these problems to a greater degree. Some people feel that they have not slept at all because the sleep they have had is of poor quality.
Insomnia is most severe during the peak of withdrawal and sleep medication (hypnotics) may not be of much help. Psychological approaches are often preferred to reduce the risk of dependence on hypnotics.
For information on how to cope with sleep during an opiate detox see the Sleep Guide (Added as this thread: http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92537 - Dickon)

Can I drink alcohol while I am detoxifying with BritLofex?

It is advisable to avoid drinking alcohol while undergoing a BritLofex detox.

In addition to taking BritLofex, is there anything that I can do to help me with my detox?

Yes, there are many things you can do. The main thing is to stay positive and relaxed. As well as this, drink plenty of fluids, eat a light diet and use any support available to you, such as family and friends. It is also important to tell your prescriber or key worker if you are feeling unwell.

Is there anything I can do to help me remain drug-free after my detox?

Detoxification is a very small but important part of the journey towards independence from drugs. People who have a successful detoxification and go on to lead a drug-free life have usually put a great deal of effort and planning into how they are going to cope afterwards. Support from family, partners and healthcare professionals may help by providing a 'safety net' against relapse. Developing a network of non-drug using friends, attending Rehab or pursuing new educational or employment opportunities are also important strategies to help you build on your success.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Very interesting information, thanks for sharing

[theswimmer]

Lies:

God damn I wish I had some of that right now. I wonder if available in Canada?

[Junkhead23]

Pacman was given this when he was taken down a large amount of methadone and to be honest it did nothing for him whatsoever. He was in extended withdrawal for a week. All it does is suppress the adrenaline that is created by withdrawal which really doesn't stop a whole host of other symptoms though it did ease the anxiety a little.

[Mr.Opi]

so this drug hasent been released in the us yet then?

[Junkhead23]

Don't think it is available in US as of yet hence the brand name Britlofex