title: Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of baclofen and gabapentin for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
authors.forename: Keith G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Heinzerling
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shoptaw
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Peck
authors.forename: Xiaowei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Juanmei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roll
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ling
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: 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