Extended release carbamazepine in the treatment of pathological gambling: an open-label study.
BACKGROUND
The efficacy and tolerability of extended release carbamazepine was tested in the treatment of pathological gambling (PG).


METHODS
Non-depressed outpatients with DSM-IV PG received flexibly dosed extended release carbamazepine in a prospective 10-week open-label trial following a two-week observation period. Subjects were evaluated at baseline and at one week intervals during a four week titration period, and every two weeks thereafter for assessment of gambling behavior, mood, and adverse experiences. The primary efficacy measure was the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale modified for PG (YBOCS-PG).


RESULTS
Eight subjects (6 men, 2 women) had at least one post-baseline visit, and five subjects (63%) completed the protocol. Significant improvement was found on the YBOCS-PG (P< .001). Seven of the eight subjects with post-baseline assessment (88%) were considered responders (i.e., achieved "much" or "very much" improvement on the CGI). Four subjects (50%) abstained from gambling during their final month of study participation. Several patients were dropped because of adverse experiences.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that extended release carbamazepine may be effective in the treatment of PG.
Black
Donald W
DW
University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. donald-black@uiowa.edu
Shaw
Martha C
MC
Allen
Jeff
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D004341:Drug Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005715:Gambling; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002220:Carbamazepine