Comparison of cyanamide and placebo in the treatment of alcohol dependence of adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
About 50% of alcoholic patients relapse within 3 months of treatment. Previous studies have suggested that cyanamide may help to prevent such relapse. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy and safety of long-term cyanamide treatment in alcohol dependence of adolescents.


METHODS
In this, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we recruited 26 patients, aged 16-19 years, with chronic (frequent and regular) or episodic (frequent, but irregular) alcohol dependence. Patients were randomly allocated treatment with cyanamide (200 mg daily) or a placebo for 90 days. Patients were assessed on the day the treatment was started, and on days 30 and 90, by interview, self-report, questionnaire and laboratory screening. Patients were classified as abstinent, relapsing or non-attending. Time to first treatment failure (relapse or non-attendance) was the primary outcome measure.


RESULTS
The cyanamide (n = 13) and placebo (n = 13) groups were well matched in terms of baseline demographic and alcohol-related variables. Mean cumulative abstinence duration was significantly greater in the cyanamide group than in the placebo group. Apart from occasional diarrhoea, there was no difference in side effects between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Cyanamide seems to be an effective and well tolerated pharmacological adjunct to psychosocial and behavioural treatment programmes for the treatment of some adolescent alcohol-dependent patients. Because of reported hepatotoxic, haematological and dermatological side effects, patients should be observed continuously by experienced clinicians. Further studies are necessary to prove the efficacy of cyanamide in adolescents.
Niederhofer
Helmut
H
Christian Doppler-Klinik, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.
Staffen
Wolfgang
W
Mair
Alois
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003484:Cyanamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D011613:Psychotherapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D003484:Cyanamide