title: Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in the treatment of alcohol and heroin dependence.
abstract: We briefly review two double-blind, placebo-controlled surveys conducted in this laboratory with the aim of evaluating the efficacy of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome as well as alcohol craving and consumption in alcoholics. In the first study, acute administration of 50 mg/kg gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, a nonhypnotic dose in alcoholic patients, resulted in a rapid and significant reduction of the severity score of alcohol withdrawal signs and symptoms that lasted as long as 7 hours. In the second study, treatment with 50 mg/kg/day gamma-hydroxybutyric acid for 3 consecutive months (1) reduced the number of daily drinks by approximately 50%, (2) increased the days of abstinence approximately threefold, and (3) reduced the alcohol craving score by up to 60%. These results feature gamma-hydroxybutyric acid as an effective agent for the treatment of alcohol dependence. Data on the effect of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid on opiate withdrawal syndrome also are reviewed. Administration of 25 mg/kg induced a marked reduction of opiate withdrawal score in both heroin- and methadone-dependent subjects. Finally, we report the cases of adverse reactions to and abuse of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid revealed in a retrospective analysis of patients recruited in this laboratory over a 10-year period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Addictive Medicine Unit, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani 2, I-35100, Padua, Italy. l.gallimberti@libero.it
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallimberti
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Spella
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Soncini
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Gessa
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders
chemical_list: D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; C111420:4-hydroxybutyric acid