Effects of zonisamide in the treatment of alcohol dependence.
OBJECTIVE
Anticonvulsant drugs have been used in the treatment of alcohol dependence. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate tolerance and safety of zonisamide in a sample of patients presenting alcohol dependence.


METHODS
Open-label zonisamide was examined in 22 outpatients with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition alcohol dependence. Zonisamide was started at a dose of 50 mg/d and titrated to a maximun dose of 300 mg/d. Subjects received a baseline evaluation including Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition and the Severity of Alcohol Dependence Scale. Alcohol craving and alcohol consumption were assessed at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12. The concentration of γ-glutamyltransferase was used as an indirect measure of alcohol consumption.


RESULTS
Significant improvement was observed in visual analog scale for craving severity scores, weekly drink consumption, and γ-glutamyltransferase. Zonisamide was well tolerated, with only a dropout due to adverse events.


CONCLUSIONS
Zonisamide is safe and well tolerated in this sample and associated with improvement in alcohol craving and alcohol consumption. A placebo-controlled study would be of interest.
Rubio
Gabriel
G
Department of Psychiatry, Doce de Octubre University Hospital, Avda Córdoba, s/n, 28041-Madrid, Spain. grubio.hdoc@madrid.salud.org
López-Muñoz
Francisco
F
Ferre
Francisco
F
Martínez-Gras
Isabel
I
Ponce
Guillermo
G
Pascual
José M
JM
Jiménez-Arriero
Miguel A
MA
Alamo
Cecilio
C
D000328:Adult; D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004327:Drinking Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010045:Outpatients; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000078305:Zonisamide; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D007555:Isoxazoles; D000078305:Zonisamide; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase