title: Nimodipine in acute alcohol withdrawal state.
abstract: The effect of the calcium channel blocker, nimodipine, in acute alcohol withdrawal was investigated in a randomized, placebo controlled, double blind study. Thirty-two male patients with a history of alcohol dependence according to DSM-III criteria, but no other substance abuse, were included. A new rating instrument which fulfilled theoretical test criteria was applied to determine the severity of the alcohol withdrawal state. The patients received nimodipine or a placebo on four separate occasions (4 x 60 mg) and, in addition, clomethiazole, according to a standardized procedure. Our investigation has shown that, in the first 48-72 h of alcohol withdrawal, both groups consumed similar amounts of additional clomethiazole medication. Thus, no significant effect of nimodipine on the acute alcohol withdrawal state could be demonstrated. There was some tendency for nimodipine to ameliorate psychosensory dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Banger
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Benkert
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Röschke
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Herth
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hebenstreit
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Philipp
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Aldenhoff
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000430:Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002719:Chlormethiazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D009553:Nimodipine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D002719:Chlormethiazole; D009553:Nimodipine