title: Levetiracetam for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome: a multicenter, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) with benzodiazepines is limited by risk of abuse, intoxication, respiratory problems, and liver toxicity. Alternatives such as carbamazepine and valproate may also have safety problems, such as hepatotoxicity or central nervous adverse effects. We therefore investigated the safety and efficacy of levetiracetam (LV), a newer antiepileptic with a potentially favorable adverse-effect profile, for the treatment of AWS.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred six patients were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial. Levetiracetam was administered in a fixed dose schedule over 6 days. Diazepam was added when symptom triggered as rescue medication. Severity of the AWS was measured with the AWS and Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although tolerability and safety data were similar in the LV group when compared with placebo, the total daily and weekly dose of diazepam as rescue medication and the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms did not differ significantly between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data so far do not support an additional effect of LV on the reduction of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité Campus Mitte, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hinzpeter
authors.forename: Folkhard
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Thorsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kienast
authors.forename: Ulrich W
authors.initials: UW
authors.lastname: Preuss
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Plenge
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heinz
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schaefer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010889:Piracetam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D003975:Diazepam; D010889:Piracetam