LAAM
Pronunciation:ehl-a ̄-a ̄-ehm
Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number:1477-40-3. (Hydrochloride form
43033-72-3)
Formal Names:Levo-Alpha-Acetylmethadol, Levo-alphacetylmethadol, Levome-
thadyl acetate, Orlaam
Type:Depressant (opioid class).Seepage 24
Federal Schedule Listing:Schedule II (DEA no. 9648)
USA Availability:Prescription
Pregnancy Category:C
Uses.LAAM has pain-relieving qualities, but its main medical use is for
treatment of opiate/opioid addiction, typically switching addicts from illegal
herointo the legal substance LAAM.
Drawbacks.LAAM can produce heartbeat irregularity, and although this
unwanted action has not been known to harm users, it is a factor in deciding
between LAAM ormethadonefor drug addiction treatment. When used for
addiction therapy LAAM is generally considered to produce no significant
reduction in alertness, but persons new to the drug or who take high doses
are told to be careful about engaging in dangerous activity such as driving a
car. One study involving over 600 users found weariness to be a frequent
undesired LAAM effect, also constipation, abdominal discomfort, anxiety, per-
spiration, and decreased male sexual ability. In one study scientists found that
testosteronemeasurements in males declined to levels below normal when
those persons used LAAM, but another study showed no change. In one study
euphoria was an unusual effect, but another study typically found LAAM
users to be “slightly euphoric” in comparison to methadone users. Researchers
have noted aggressiveness in monkeys taking LAAM, but that effect is un-
confirmed in humans. Rodent experiments measuring food intake have pro-
duced conflicting results showing increased, unchanged, and decreased
appetite. One human study reported no appetite change in LAAM users.
Because oral LAAM’s long-lasting effects are slow to start, some illicit users
have taken more and more of the drug in order to feel expected effects and
then died from a cumulative fatal overdose when LAAM’s full actions finally
kicked in.
Abuse factors. In drug abuse treatment programs, some addicts prefer