| Methods |
Randomised controlled trial with concurrent eligible patients outside of the RCT. The non‐RCT patients were participants in a patient preference trial who refused to be randomised due to preference. The non‐RCT patients were followed up similarly to those in the RCT. Heroin users receiving treatment at a specialist addiction service. 15 of the 107 RCT patients treated with buprenorphine were lost to follow up. 28 of the 163 eligible non‐RCT patients given similar treatment were lost to follow up. |
| Data |
Characteristics of non‐RCT patients compared to RCT patients who received the same treatment were not presented. 107 RCT patients were treated with buprenorphine, 163 eligible non‐RCT patients were given similar treatment. |
| Comparisons |
Two RCT arms, both arms were compared with similarly treated eligible non‐RCT patients. The experimental arm patients received buprenorphine. The control patients received lofexidine. |
| Outcomes |
Clinical outcomes were measured in all patients. Patients were followed up for one month. Main outcome was abstinence at one month. |
| Notes |
The two RCT arms were similarly effective. |
