Abstract: Objective To evaluate the advantages of heroin detoxification using the combined hemoperfusion-hemodialysis method. Methods Thirty-five heroin-addictive patients were randomly divided into the treatment group (n=16) and the control group (n=19). Patients in treatment group were treated with the combined hemoperfusion-hemodialysis regimen 3 hours daily for 3 days, while patients in control group received the 10-day methadone treatment regimen. The Short Opiate Withdrawal Scale (SOWS) was used to compare the withdrawal symptoms. Concentrations of morphine in blood and urine were detected by radioimmunoassay method before the treatment and after the treatment for 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21 and 30 days. Results Compared to the control group, the combined hemoperfusion-hemodialysis regimen had significantly lower mean SOWS score (4.3±3.8 vs. 10.1±4.5, P<0.001). From the second day after treatment, the withdrawal symptoms in the treatment group were less severe than those in the control group (P<0.05 to all observation days after treatment). The difference of mean blood morphine concentration between the two groups was insignificant in the first 2 days (P>0.05), but became significant from 3rd day to 7th day (P<0.05, respectively). From the 3rd day after the treatment, urinary morphine concentration was significantly lower in treatment group than in control group (P<0.05 to all observation days after treatment). Conclusion The combined hemoperfusion-hemodialysis regimen is a safe and effective method for heroin detoxification, and has better outcomes than methadone therapy.

Key words: Hemodialysis, Methadone, Detoxification, Withdrawal symptom