What is Lofexidine and how does it work?

Lofexidine in the treatment of opiate withdrawal
Lofexidine is a non opiate treatment which is used for the management of withdrawal symptoms in patients undergoing opiate detoxification. It is effective in reducing the symptoms associated with opiate withdrawal or "cold turkey" such as chills, sweating, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, muscle pain, runny nose and eyes.
Lofexidine is not an opiate and is non-addictive, it does not give rise to withdrawal symptoms of it’s own.

Detoxification using Lofexidine

Lofexidine is used for the management of opiate withdrawal symptoms and may be used as part of an inpatient or an outpatient detoxification programme. It is important to note that Lofexidine will not reduce cravings and will only assist an individual to deal with the physical symptoms of opiate withdrawal. Additional support should therefore be sought to help assist with the psychological aspects associated with the withdrawal process.
The brand name for Lofexidine is BritLofex™ and it is a small peach coloured tablet containing 0.2mg Lofexidine. During the course of a Lofexidine detoxification, additional medication may also be prescribed to deal with specific symptoms.

A Lofexidine detoxification is most likely to be successful if you:





Expect to feel the psychological aspects of detoxification such as anxiety, agitation, depression and craving.

Expect to have sleeping difficulties and to feel bad for at least 2 weeks.

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

Each Lofexidine detox is tailored to meet each individuals requirements and hence no two detoxifications are exactly the same. The typical starting dose is 2 to 4 tablets per day, which is then gradually increased up to a maximum of 12 tablets per day. This dose is then gradually decreased as the withdrawal symptoms become less severe. Most detoxifications normally last between 7 and 10 days, however, some detoxifications may be shorter or longer than this.

Can Lofexidine cause any side effects?

All medicines sometimes cause side effects in some people.

Lofexidine tablets may sometimes cause the following:



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 doctor or community drugs worker.

Can I drink alcohol whilst I am detoxifying with Lofexidine?
No, it is advisable to avoid drinking alcohol whilst undergoing a Lofexidine detoxification.