The results strongly suggested that free amino acids in the CNS played an important role in the action mechanism of morphine. On these grounds an attempt was made to antagonize the effects of morphine by using L-aspartic acid. Encouraged by the results obtained from the experiments performed on animals, it was decided to use L-aspartic acid for the treatment of persons addicted to opiates and in this paper the author reports on the therapeutic success. Method Eight males addicted to opiates were treated with L-aspartic acid. Of these, two were addicted to codeine, two to heroin and four to opium tincture.
Detailed information is summarized in the table below.
The addicts, especially those abusing heroin and opium tincture were in miserable social and moral conditions. Their attempts to discontinue drug-taking as well as medical treatment were unsuccessful. This solution was given to the subjects addicted to codeine four times daily, an hour after each meal and an hour before bed for four consecutive days and for five consecutive days to the other subjects. They came to the Department and were observed continually for six to eight hours each day for possible signs and symptoms of the abstinence syndrome during the period of administration and during the following two weeks. The two subjects treated for addiction to codeine were allowed to take reduced doses of codeine on the first two days of treatment.