A controlled study of lithium carbonate in the treatment of alcoholism.
A prospective double-blind placebo-controlled trial conducted during a 6-month period showed that lithium carbonate was no better than placebo in producing total abstinence in patients with alcoholism, regardless of whether they were depressed. A high dropout rate, the effect of compliance, and difficulties in measuring improvement in these patients impose some limitations in interpreting the results of this study.
de la Fuente
J R
JR
Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
Morse
R M
RM
Niven
R G
RG
Ilstrup
D M
DM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies
D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008094:Lithium