The pharmacotherapy of relapse prevention using anticonvulsants.
This review of anticonvulsants for relapse prevention in substance abusers focuses on a series of clinical trials among cocaine abusers. Based on a preclinical rationale linking kindling with drug craving, several studies by Halikas et al. found reductions in cocaine use and craving among "compliant" subjects with blood levels above 4 mu/ml. Three independent randomized trials found no difference from placebo in cocaine use, although treatment retention may be higher during the first 6 weeks, and alcohol use might be less at follow-up after medication discontinuation.
Kosten
T R
TR
Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, West Haven, CT, USA.
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012008:Recurrence; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000534:rehabilitation; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*
D000927:Anticonvulsants