title: Efficacy and safety of aripiprazole in alcohol dependence.
abstract: Dopaminergic agonists and antagonists have both been examined for the treatment of substance abuse with contrasting results. To the best of our knowledge dopamine receptor partial agonists have not been investigated in alcohol use disorders. Thirteen detoxified alcohol-dependent subjects were treated with flexible doses of aripiprazole for 16 weeks. Six patients maintained an alcohol free condition for all the study period. All the subjects experienced a reduction of craving in both OCDS (p < .05) and VAS (p < .05), and a decrease of the SCL-90 General Severity Index (GSI) (p < .05). The data of this pilot clinical study, suggest a possible role for this drug in the treatment of individuals with alcohol problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Catholic University Medical School, Rome, Italy. giovanni.martinotti@libero.it
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martinotti
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Nicola
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Janiri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000430:Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium / Q000188:drug therapy; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D015363:Quinolones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D013695:Temperance / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D000068180:Aripiprazole