@article {1278,
	title = {A preliminary, controlled investigation of magnesium L-aspartate hydrochloride for illicit cocaine and opiate use in methadone-maintained patients.},
	journal = {Journal of addictive diseases},
	volume = {22},
	year = {2003},
	month = {2003},
	pages = {49-61},
	abstract = {Based on pre-clinical studies suggesting that magnesium (Mg) reduces cocaine self-administration and potentiates the antinociceptive effects of morphine, we conducted a preliminary randomized clinical trial investigating Mg for the treatment of illicit cocaine and opiate use. Eighteen methadone-maintained patients who used illicit opiates and cocaine received either Mg (732 mg/day) or placebo for 12 weeks. Overall, findings showed that the percentage of urine screens testing positive for opiates in the Mg group (22.6\%) was half that of the placebo group (46.4\%), p = .04; the difference was even greater in the "medication compliant" sample (Mg: 16.3\%, placebo: 47.9\%), p = .02. Cocaine craving was lower in the Mg compared to the placebo group, but there was no difference between groups in cocaine use. These preliminary findings suggest that Mg may have a beneficial effect for reducing illicit opiate use. It is possible that a higher dose of Mg than was used in this study may be needed to decrease cocaine use.},
	keywords = {Adult, Aspartic Acid, Cocaine-Related Disorders, Drug Administration Schedule, Female, Humans, Male, Methadone, Narcotics, Opioid-Related Disorders, Patient Compliance, Street Drugs},
	issn = {1055-0887},
	author = {Margolin, Arthur and Kantak, Kathleen and Copenhaver, Michael and Avants, S Kelly}
}
