Carbamazepine treatment of cocaine dependence: a placebo-controlled trial.
Cocaine-induced kindling, which has been hypothesized to underlie cocaine-induced craving, is reversed by carbamazepine treatment. Though preliminary studies showed carbamazepine to be useful for relapse prevention in cocaine-dependent subjects, more recent studies have failed to replicate those findings. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of carbamazepine 600 mg/day in 40 cocaine-dependent males. During active treatment there were no significant effects of carbamazepine on cocaine use, alcohol consumption, anxiety or depressive symptoms. At three months post-treatment carbamazepine-treated subjects reported fewer drinking days. We conclude that carbamazepine at this dose level is probably not efficacious for treatment of cocaine dependence.
Kranzler
H R
HR
Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06030, USA.
Bauer
L O
LO
Hersh
D
D
Klinghoffer
V
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003042:Cocaine; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007696:Kindling, Neurologic / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009294:Narcotics; D010555:Personality Inventory; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D009294:Narcotics; D002220:Carbamazepine; D003042:Cocaine