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Efficacy and safety of acamprosate in the treatment of detoxified alcohol-dependent patients

A 90-day placebo-controlled dose-finding study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

I. Pelc ,
P. Verbanck ,
O. Le Bon ,
M. Gavrilovic ,
K. Lion  and
P. Lehert
I. Pelc*
Affiliation:
Brugmann University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
P. Verbanck
Affiliation:
Brugmann University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
O. Le Bon
Affiliation:
Brugmann University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
M. Gavrilovic
Affiliation:
Brugmann University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
K. Lion
Affiliation:
Brugmann University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
P. Lehert
Affiliation:
Facultés Universitaires Catholiques de Mons, Mons, Belgium
*
Dr P. Verbanck, Psychiatry Department, Brugmann University Hospital, Van Gehuchten Place 4, 1020 Brussels, Belgium
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Abstract

Background

Acamprosate is a newly registered drug that appears to reduce alcohol-drinking in both animal models and clinical conditions.

Method

In order to assess the efficacy and safety of the drug in the treatment of detoxified alcoholics, we performed a 90-day double-blind trial comparing two dosages of acamprosate (1332 mg/day and 1998 mg/day).

Results

For all efficacy parameters, acamprosate appeared to be significantly superior to placebo, with a trend towards a better effect at the higher dosage. Furthermore, acamprosate appeared to be extremely safe.

Conclusion

This study confirms that acamprosate could be an interesting adjuvant for maintaining abstinence in detoxified alcoholics.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 171 , Issue 1 , July 1997 , pp. 73 - 77
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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