title: A combination of levetiracetam and tiapride for outpatient alcohol detoxification: a case series.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Optimal pharmacotherapy of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) in outpatient settings is still a matter of discussion. The aim of this evaluation was to examine the efficacy and tolerability of a combination of levetiracetam and tiapride for outpatient alcohol detoxification.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an open-label evaluation. After screening eligibility for outpatient detoxification, 9 alcohol-dependent patients received levetiracetam and tiapride in a flexible dosage regimen up to 2500 and 300 mg/d, respectively, for a maximum of 7 days. Severity of alcohol withdrawal was assessed daily using the Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome Scale (AWSS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients completed the treatment successfully. The mean initial doses of levetiracetam and tiapride were 2166.7 and 300 mg/d, respectively. AWS as indicated by the AWSS score decreased clearly over 5 days. The combination of levetiracetam and tiapride was well tolerated. Neither treatment discontinuations because of side effects of the medication nor serious medical complications were observed during the detoxification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this evaluation provide first evidence that the combination of levetiracetam and tiapride might be an effective and safe treatment option for mild to moderate AWS in outpatient settings. Further randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these preliminary results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. ch.mueller@charite.de
authors.forename: Christian A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schäfer
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Banas
authors.forename: Hannah M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Heimann
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Volkmar
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Förg
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heinz
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010045:Outpatients; D010889:Piracetam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013976:Tiapamil Hydrochloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D013976:Tiapamil Hydrochloride; D010889:Piracetam