title: Sodium oxybate in maintaining alcohol abstinence in alcoholic patients with and without psychiatric comorbidity.
abstract: Sodium oxybate (SMO) is a GABA-ergic drug currently used for the treatment of alcohol-dependence in some European countries. In particular, clinical studies have shown a role of SMO in promoting alcohol abstinence, as well as in relieving withdrawal symptoms. The aim of this study was to describe alcohol abstinence and the onset of craving for and abuse of SMO in alcohol-dependent subjects with and without psychiatric co-morbidity. Forty-eight patients were enrolled and classified into two groups: group A (20 alcoholics without any psychiatric co-morbidity) and group B (28 alcoholics with a psychiatric co-morbidity). All patients were treated with oral SMO (50 mg/kg of body weight t.i.d.) for 12 weeks. Alcohol abstinence as well as alcohol drinking during the 12 weeks of treatment did not differ between the two groups at the end of treatment (p=0.9). In addition, a reduction of alcohol intake in both groups has been observed (p<0.0001). On the other hand, craving for SMO was significantly more frequent in group B than group A (p=0.001). Cases of SMO abuse were observed in almost 10% of group B patients. In conclusion, alcohol abstinence achieved through SMO administration does not differ in patients with and without psychiatric co-morbidity. However, alcoholics with co-morbid borderline disorders appear to be at high risk of developing craving for and abuse of the drug; therefore, SMO may not be indicated in these patients.
authors.affiliation: "G. Fontana" Centre for the Study and Multidisciplinary Treatment of Alcohol Addiction, Department of Internal Medicine, Cardioangiology and Hepatology, University of Bologna, Italy. f.caputo@ausl.fe.it
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Caputo
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Francini
authors.forename: Romeo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brambilla
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vigna-Taglianti
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stoppo
authors.forename: Arfedele
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Del Re
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leggio
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Addolorato
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zoli
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bernardi
mesh_terms: D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D057229:Alcoholics; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D054316:Biomarkers, Pharmacological; D015897:Comorbidity; D000431:Ethanol; D005260:Female; D018682:GABA Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012008:Recurrence; D012978:Sodium Oxybate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D013695:Temperance; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D054316:Biomarkers, Pharmacological; D018682:GABA Agents; D000431:Ethanol; D012978:Sodium Oxybate