Table 1.
Summary of pharmacological studies
| Study | Place | Sample | M/W a | Inclusion | Medications | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farnia et al. (2014) | Iran | 45 | Men | Meeting DSM-IV criteria for MA-induced psychosis | Risperidone vs. aripiprazole | Risperidone had better treatment effects on positive psychotic symptoms while aripiprazole had better treatment effects on negative psychotic symptoms |
| Rezaei et al. (2015) | Iran | 56 | Men | Meeting DSM-IV criteria for MA dependence, age between 18 and 65 years and positive urine tests for MA at the time of intake | Sustained-released methylphenidate vs. placebo | Less self-reported MA craving and depression in the treatment group than in the control group |
| Rezaei et al. 2016 | Iran | 62 | Men | Meeting DSM-IV criteria for MA dependence | Topiramate vs. placebo | Lower proportion of MA-positive urine tests in the Topiramate group than in the placebo group (p = 0.01). Lower scores in MA addiction severity (p < 0.001) and MA craving (p < 0.001) in the topiramate group than in the placebo group |
| Samiei et al. (2017) | Iran | 44 | 21 men and 13 women | Meeting DSM-IV criteria for MA dependence; age 18–60 years | Haloperidol vs. risperidone | Haloperidol (p < 0.05) and risperidone (p < 0.05) were similarly effective in the treatment of self-reported MAP but no differential effectiveness was found between the two medications. The treatment effects of both medications increased in the first two weeks of treatment and remained stable in the second two weeks |
| Ahmadi et al. (2017) | Iran | 40 | Men | Meeting DSM-V criteria for MA use disorder and withdrawal, seeking treatment, daily MA use for at least six month prior to intake | Methadone vs. buprenorphine | Reduction of craving in the buprenorphine group was significantly more (p < 0.05) than in the methadone group |
| Farahzadi et al. (2019) | Iran | 88 | Men | Meeting DSM-IV criteria for MA dependence; age 18–65 years | Riluzole vs. placebo | More weekly visits was higher in the riluzole group than in placebo group (riluzole, median (range) = 13.00; placebo = 4.00, p = 0.07), and the weekly measured rate of positive MA urine specimens was significantly lower in the riluzole group by the end of the study (riluzole = 1 (5.00%), placebo = 9 (45.00%), p = 0.004). Patients in the riluzole group self-reported greater reductions in craving, withdrawal, and depression from baseline to endpoint |
aThe ratio of men to women