Following are questions and answers to the most common inquiries about the PROMETA Treatment Program. If you can't find the information you're looking for, please call the PROMETA Helpline toll free at 1-866-321-6558 or contact us online.
PROMETA is an integrated, physician-based treatment for alcohol, cocaine, and methamphetamine dependence.
The treatment program involves prescription medications and nutritional supplements that are administered in a proprietary manner. The treatment is followed by after care, such as individual and/or group therapy, which is considered a key part of recovery.
The treatment program begins with a 2-3 day course of prescription medications and nutritional supplements. This is followed by a brief course of at-home medications and nutritional supplements that are taken for approximately one month.
Additionally, the PROMETA Treatment Program for cocaine and methamphetamine dependence includes a second medially supervised treatment on 2 consecutive visits, about 3 weeks after the initial treatment.
PROMETA is discreet, and does not require long periods away from home or work.
Treatment takes place at a hospital facility, a treatment center, or a physician practice that has licensed the rights to use PROMETA.
The PROMETA treatments are designed for those diagnosed with dependencies to alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, or a combination of these substances, and may be appropriate for patients if they are:
Looking for an integrated, physician-based approach for the management of their dependence.
Dependent on these substances, including those who are disappointed with or have failed other treatment options.
Unable to commit a month or longer away from family or career to participate in a traditional treatment program.
While the effectiveness of the PROMETA Treatment Program has not yet been proven, clinical studies are underway.
It is up to the treating physician to decide whether treatment with the medications administered as part of PROMETA is appropriate for any given patient.
What are the advantages of treatment using PROMETA?
First, PROMETA treatment is designed to target alcohol, cocaine, or methamphetamine dependence on a biological level. In addition, treatment using PROMETA is discreet, and does not require long periods away from home or work. Treatment is started over a short initial course of treatment, given in 2-3 visits on consecutive days.
Following this initial treatment, ongoing prescription medications can be conveniently taken at home for 1 month, and patients will receive a nutritional support plan and recommendations for after care to aid in their recovery process.
Additionally, the PROMETA treatment for cocaine or methamphetamine dependence includes a second physician-supervised treatment on 2 consecutive visits, about 3 weeks after the initial treatment.
What medications are administered during treatment using PROMETA?
Treatment using PROMETA involves the use of specific prescription medications. These medications have not been FDA approved for substance dependence. Physicians may prescribe such medications if they decide that it fulfills their patients' specific needs. Your PROMETA-treating physician can describe the treatment and determine whether it is right for you.
Note: PROMETA may not be appropriate for use in all patients, and should not be used in women who are or who plan to be pregnant or nursing during the course of treatment. There may be other health restrictions, including the taking of specific medications, which your treating physician will address.
The initial phase of PROMETA treatment is administered over the course of 2-3 visits on consecutive days, depending on the substance(s) of dependence. In the case of cocaine or methamphetamine dependence (or dependence to both alcohol and stimulants), a second course of treatment over 2 visits to the facility on consecutive days takes place about three weeks after the initial treatment.
In either case, this will be followed by 1 month of at-home prescription medications and nutritional supplements, along with after care, which is considered essential for maximizing success in recovery.
The cost of treatment with PROMETA depends on several factors, including the substance(s) of dependence and the location where the treatment is administered. The treatment is not currently reimbursed by insurance companies, so payment is made directly by the patient.
Treatment will be administered at a hospital or physician practice, and overseen by a physician who has licensed the rights from Hythiam to use PROMETA. Prior to treatment, a comprehensive medical examination will be performed, along with urine and blood tests. Treatment then begins with the administration of prescription medications and nutrients over a period of 2-3 consecutive days.
Each patient receiving treatment with PROMETA begins treatment individually. After care following the treatment is considered an essential part of recovery, and can take place either in individual or group settings.
PROMETA treatments are designed to minimize patient sedation. Some of the medications in the treatment plan may cause drowsiness. This should be discussed with your PROMETA treatment provider.
While there may be mild discomfort from administering the medications, the PROMETA treatments are designed to ensure that the patient is as comfortable and alert as possible throughout the physician-supervised procedures.
In general, each physician-based treatment session typically lasts about 1 hour. Some patients may receive their treatments in a hospital, or "in-patient" setting. For these patients, the balance of time spent at the treatment facility or hospital is intended to ensure that the patient is well-rested and comfortable between the relatively short treatment periods. Some patients may require a third day of treatment, but it will be up to the treating physician to make this decision during the course of treatment.
For patients receiving care in an "outpatient" facility, such as a physician's office or treatment center, their doctor may monitor them following each treatment session for a few hours. The patient would then be released to an accompanying person and return the following day for completion of their treatment.
It is important to discuss your individual situation with your PROMETA-treating physician to ensure that you know what to expect during the treatment periods.
What happens after the initial 2-3 visits are completed?
Following the initial treatment, the PROMETA Treatment Program provides physician-supervised follow-up, including 1 month of prescription medications and nutrition supplements, plus enrollment in after care treatment (such as counseling or group support).
Additionally, the PROMETA treatment Treatment Program for cocaine or methamphetamine dependence includes a second physician-supervised course of treatment given on 2 consecutive days, about 3 weeks after the initial treatment.
Treatment providers will work with each patient to determine the after care plan that is right for him or her.
Is treatment using PROMETA appropriate for my situation?
Only a treating physician can determine whether treatment using PROMETA is right for an individual patient. PROMETA treatment may be appropriate for patients diagnosed with alcohol, cocaine, or methamphetamine dependencies, as well as addictions to combinations of these substances.
Who is not appropriate for treatment using PROMETA?
It is up to the PROMETA-treating physician to decide whether treatment with the medications administered as part of PROMETA is appropriate for any given patient.
PROMETA is not designed to treat dependence on , (e.g. sedatives) or addictive substances other than alcohol, cocaine, or methamphetamine. PROMETA should not be administered in women who are or who plan to be pregnant or nursing during the course of PROMETA treatment. There may be other restrictions, including the taking of specific medications, which your treating physician will address.
Other prescribing restrictions may apply. Your treating physician must determine if treatment using PROMETA is appropriate for you, depending on your medical condition and current medications.
My physician does not know about PROMETA. Where can I find more information about PROMETA?
Because treatment using PROMETA can only be administered by professionals at a location licensed by Hythiam, physicians interested in learning more can contact Hythiam toll free at 1-866-321-6558 for information about signing the necessary confidentiality agreement and receiving more information about the PROMETA treatment methodologies.
Does Hythiam sell the treatment directly to patients?
No. PROMETA treatments are for use by physicians in locations with license rights from Hythiam to use PROMETA. Hythiam does not provide medical advice or medical treatment, and makes no claims about the effectiveness and suitability of treatment using PROMETA for any individual patient. Hythiam simply licenses the rights to use PROMETA to providers. Physicians must exercise their own professional judgment in recommending PROMETA for their patients.
The effectiveness of the PROMETA treatment Treatment Program has not yet been proven. Clinical studies for alcohol and methamphetamine dependence, but not cocaine dependence, are underway.
Therefore, it is up to the PROMETA-treating physician to review the available data on the treatment program and assess whether it is appropriate for any given patient. Hythiam makes no representation about the efficacy of these treatment programs for any given patient.
Treatment using PROMETA has not been assessed in controlled clinical studies. The medications used in PROMETA treatment are prescribed by physicians, and a physician must determine whether the given medications are appropriate for an individual patient considering treatment. Hythiam makes no representation about the safety of these treatment programs.
Are there any clinical studies ongoing using PROMETA?
Currently, several clinical studies are being performed for various aspects of treatment using PROMETA. Two methamphetamine studies are underway - one study sponsored by UCLA, CA and Dr. Walter Ling, the other methamphetamine study with Research Across America and Dr. Harold Urschel, Dallas, TX.
With regards to alcohol dependence, Cedars Sinai, CA is involved in one study; Dr Jeffrey Wilkins will conduct the study. The Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs (CDAP), at the Medical University of South Carolina is also studying PROMETA for alcoholism. Dr. Raymond Anton, MD and his colleagues are responsible for the study.
While there is no cure for addiction, treatment with PROMETA offers a promising physician-based approach to the management of alcohol, cocaine, or methamphetamine dependence. PROMETA is designed to target these dependencies on a biological level. PROMETA also provides for 1 month of prescription medication and nutritional supplements, combined with recommended psychosocial or other recovery-oriented therapy chosen by the patient in conjunction with their treatment provider.
What side effects result from treatment using PROMETA?
Since treatment using PROMETA involves taking prescription medications, it is important to discuss possible side effects of each of the medications with your treating doctor. Side effects for these medications, when used outside of FDA-approved indications, are not well documented. In addition, the benefits and risks of these medications, when used in substance dependence — and in the combinations used in PROMETA — are not completely understood.
* Clinical studies are under way to evaluate the PROMETA® Treatment Program and to confirm reports from physicians using the PROMETA Treatment Program in their practices. Only a physician licensed to treat with the PROMETA Treatment Program can determine if they are appropriate for any individual patient. The medications used in the PROMETA Treatment Program are Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for uses other than treating dependence on alcohol, cocaine or methamphetamine. Therefore, the risks and benefits of using these medications to treat dependence on these substances have not been evaluated by the FDA.
The information provided herein is for general education purposes only and is not medical advice. Hythiam does not provide treatment or make treatment recommendations. Hythiam does not practice medicine or provide medical care to patients.