Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of baclofen and gabapentin for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a 16-week, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of two GABAergic medications, baclofen (20 mg tid) and gabapentin (800 mg tid), for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence.


METHODS
Adults with methamphetamine dependence were randomized to one of three conditions for 16 weeks: baclofen (n = 25), gabapentin (n = 26) or placebo (n = 37). All participants attended clinic thrice weekly to receive study medication and psychosocial counseling, complete study assessments, and provide urine samples.


RESULTS
No statistically significant main effects for baclofen or gabapentin in reducing methamphetamine use were observed using a generalized estimating equation (GEE). A significant treatment effect was found in post hoc analyses for baclofen, but not gabapentin, relative to placebo among participants who reported taking a higher percentage of study medication (significant treatment group and medication adherence interaction in GEE model of methamphetamine use).


CONCLUSIONS
While gabapentin does not appear to be effective in treating methamphetamine dependence, baclofen may have a small treatment effect relative to placebo. Future studies evaluating the effectiveness of baclofen and other GABAergic agents for treatment of methamphetamine may be warranted.
Heinzerling
Keith G
KG
Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
Shoptaw
Steven
S
Peck
James A
JA
Yang
Xiaowei
X
Liu
Juanmei
J
Roll
John
J
Ling
Walter
W
D000328:Adult; D000588:Amines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001418:Baclofen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003710:Demography; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D018755:GABA Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine; D011584:Psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000588:Amines; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D018755:GABA Agonists; D008694:Methamphetamine; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin; D001418:Baclofen