U.S.

FDA Approves First Non-opioid Treatment For Opioid Withdrawal

The drug can only be prescribed for up to two weeks, but it may help make opioid withdrawal symptoms more manageable.

FDA Approves First Non-opioid Treatment For Opioid Withdrawal
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
SMS

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration just approved the first non-opioid treatment for opioid withdrawal.

The drug can only be prescribed for treatment up to two weeks, and it may not completely eliminate withdrawal symptoms.

It will make them more manageable, however, and FDA officials say fear of withdrawal "can be one of the biggest barriers for patients seeking help and ultimately overcoming addiction."

The approval comes along during a time that opioid makers are facing lawsuits and general scrutiny for allegedly fueling the opioid crisis by misrepresenting how addictive the drugs can be. 

Last year, President Donald Trump declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency