An open pilot study of tiagabine in alcohol dependence: tolerability and clinical effects.
There is evidence that GABAergic anticonvulsants can be efficacious in the treatment of alcohol dependence and in the prevention of alcohol relapse because these agents act on the substrate that is involved in alcoholism. Tiagabine, a selective GABA transporter1 reuptake inhibitor, may be a promising candidate for the treatment of alcohol-dependent individuals. In this randomized, open pilot study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of tiagabine as adjunctive treatment of alcohol-dependent individuals (N = 60) during the immediate post-detoxification period and during a 6-month follow-up period following alcohol withdrawal. A control non-medicated group of alcohol-dependent individuals (N = 60) was used for comparisons in terms of anxiety and depressive symptoms, craving and drinking outcome. Although a steady improvement in terms of psychopathology, craving and global functioning was observed in both groups throughout the study, subjects on tiagabine improved significantly more compared to the control subjects (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the relapse rate in the tiagabine group was lower than in the control group (7 vs 14.3%). Tiagabine was well tolerated and only a minority of the participants reported some adverse effects in the beginning of tiagabine treatment. Results from this study suggest that tiagabine is a safe and effective medication for the management of alcohol dependence when given adjunctively to a standard psychotherapy treatment. Further studies are warranted before definite conclusions can be reached.
Athens University Medical School, 1st Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece. tpaparrig@med.uoa.gr
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T
Paparrigopoulos
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E
Tzavellas
D
D
Karaiskos
P
P
Malitas
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I
Liappas
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020268:Alcohol-Induced Disorders, Nervous System / Q000188:drug therapy; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D058805:GABA Uptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009557:Nipecotic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D000078308:Tiagabine; D055815:Young Adult
D058805:GABA Uptake Inhibitors; D009557:Nipecotic Acids; D000078308:Tiagabine