Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of Shenfutuodu capsule in the treatment of opioid withdrawal syndrome. Methods We searched The Cochrane Library （Issue 1 , 2005 ） , MEDLINE （1966 -2005） , EMBASE （1974-2005） , and some Chinese databases for additional articles （CBMdisc, CMCC, VIP, CNKI ） （1980-2005 ）. The quality of included randomized controlled trials was evaluated and meta-analysis was performed.Results Our initial search identified just three studies involving 293 patients met the inclusion criteria and were of higher quality. There was a statistical difference between Shenfutuodu capsule and clonidine groups on the fifth day in withdrawl symptom score with weight mean difference （WMD） -3.14 and 95% confidence interval （CI） -6.28 to -0.01. And no statistical difference was detected between the two groups in withdrawal symptom score on the 0th-4th day and the 6th-10th daywith WMD 58.45（95% CI 53.88 to 63.02）, -1. 15 （95% CI -5.69 to 3.40） , -0.42（95% CI -4.55 to 3.70）, -0.77（95%CI -4.37 to 2. 84）, -1.54（95%CI -4.78 to 1.69）, -1.76（95%CI -4.25 to0.74） , -1.74（95%CI -3.89 to0.41）, -1.24（95%CI -3.28 to0.80）, -0.52（95%CI -1.96 to0.92 ） and -0.27（95% CI -1.64 to 1.11 ） respectively. There was no statistical difference on effectiveness between the two groups on the third day with WMD 1.52, （95% CI 0.79 to 2.95）. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in HAMA score on the first , fifth and tenth day with WMD -0.55（95% CI -3.74 to 2.64） , 0.34 （95% CI -2.02 to 2.70） , 0. 63 （95% CI -0.21 to 1.47 ） respectively. There was a statistical difference between the two groups in dizziness rate with RR 0.73 （95% CI 0.62 to 0.87 ） . No statistical difference was detected between the two groups in dry mouth with RR 1.11（95% CI 0.95 to 1.29） , somnolence with RR 0.99（95% CI 0.82 to 1.21） , and blurred vision with RR 0.92（95% CI 0.70 to 1.19）. Statistical difference was detected between the two groups in side effect score on the second day with WMD -1.26 （95% CI -2.40 to -0. 12 ）. No statistical difference was detected between the two groups in side effect score on the first day, the third to tenth day with WMD -0.55 （ 95% CI -1.48 to0.38）, -0.63 （95%CI -1.67 to0.42）, -0.84 （95%CI -1.77 to0.09）, -0.29 （95%CI -1.09 to 0.51）, 0.15 （95% CI -0.52 to 0.81）, 0. 22 （95% CI -0.22 to 0.67）, 0.09（95% CI -0.25 to 0.44）, 0.03 （95% CI -0.21 to 0.27） , -0.03 （95% CI -0.33 to 0.26） respectively. Conclusions Based on the current evidence, Shenfutuodu capsule may be an effective and safe drug or abstinence of drug addiction. More well designed randomized controlled trials are required .