HOW DOES IT WORK?

• The role of noradrenaline
• What BritLofex does

The role of noradrenaline
In order to understand how BritLofex (lofexidine) works it is important to understand what opiates (eg heroin, methadone, dihydrocodeine etc) do to your brain. Opiates mimic natural feel good chemicals in the brain called endorphins, which are released when we are excited, exercising or in pain.

Endorphins have a natural partner called noradrenaline which is a chemical that is produced when we are very scared. It helps us to become fired up to either fight or run away from a threat. Normally there is a balance between the levels of endorphins and noradrenaline, and they live happily side by side.

Although similar to endorphins, opiates have a much stronger effect. You will be familiar with the pleasurable effects of opiates, such as the rush, being less bothered about pain or anxiety and the warm, contented feelings they can produce. You will probably have noticed some other effects like constipation and cough suppression.

What BritLofex does
When someone becomes dependent on opiates the natural balance between endorphins and noradrenaline is thrown out. When you stop taking opiates there is a mad rush of noradrenaline, and which adds to the feelings of withdrawal you experience (also known as ‘cold turkey’).

BritLofex (lofexidine) holds back the release of noradrenaline, helping to reduce withdrawal symptoms. BritLofex will not give you a buzz or stop you craving opiates. It will only help with the physical symptoms.

At the end of the course of BritLofex the natural endorphins in the body should be back in balance. At this point you should no longer be physically dependant on opiates. However, those people who still crave drugs and are not fully motivated to stay off them, could easily relapse. An opiate blocker may be prescribed towards the end or immediately after detox to help prevent this.

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