Tiapride in the prevention of relapse in recently detoxified alcoholics.
BACKGROUND
The aim was to investigate the effect of tiapride (100 mg three times a day for at least one month) on outcome following detoxification.


METHODS
The setting was a tertiary referral centre. The study design was randomised, double-blind, and placebo-controlled. One hundred routinely admitted alcohol-dependent patients were entered, and 54 completed the trial. Outcome was assessed by considering drinking status at three months and six months follow-up, and by comparing psychological status at intake and follow-up using the Crown-Crisp Experiential index, the Litman Self-esteem scale and a Satisfaction with Life Situations scale. We also compared performance over the six months before admission with the three and six months of follow-up on measures of health, social and drinking variables.


RESULTS
Tiapride proved better (usually at statistically highly significant levels) than placebo at promoting: abstinence, self-esteem, and satisfaction with life situations; and at reducing: alcohol consumption, use of health service resources, and levels of neuroticism.


CONCLUSIONS
Tiapride merits serious consideration in the longer-term treatment of alcoholic patients.
Shaw
G K
GK
Bexley Hospital, Kent.
Waller
S
S
Majumdar
S K
SK
Alberts
J L
JL
Latham
C J
CJ
Dunn
G
G
D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010919:Placebos; D012008:Recurrence; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013695:Temperance; D013976:Tiapamil Hydrochloride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010919:Placebos; D013976:Tiapamil Hydrochloride