Topiramate (Topamax) has been shown...

Topiramate (Topamax) has been shown to be effective in reducing alcohol cravings, decreasing heavy drinking, and improving abstinence rates in patients who are alcohol unable to exist without Despite being an established pharmacotherapy agent for alcohol abstinence, questions about this medication persist. Does topiramate improve drinking consequences because it improves quality of life, or does it lessen the harmful consequences of alcohol abuse? This question is difficult to answer because alcohol stay syndrome has a negative impact forward social, occupational, and recreational activities. In addition, past studies forward topiramate were coupled with psychotherapy. Johnson and colleagues evaluated topiramate alone and its weight on psychosocial functioning in alcohol-dependent patients.

The meditation was a double-blind, randomized, controll clinical trial comparing topiramate with placebo in alcohol-dependent patients. Participants were eligible for the consideration if they were adults, met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed criteria for alcohol dependence, and had a high score forward an alcohol-use disorder test. In addition, participants had to have consum a specified number of drinks during the previous 90 days (i.e., at least 21 for women 35 for men) The intervention cluster received topiramate starting at a dosage of 25 mg by day and increasing to as often as 300 mg per day. The thought duration was 12 weeks. Participants received a brief compliance-enhancement transaction at baseline and at weekly intervals. The main issues measured included clinical ratings of psychosocial functioning, alcohol-dependence severity, quality of life, and harmful drinking consequences

A total of 150 patients complet the inquiry Compared with placebo, topiramate significantly improved overall well-being and life satisfaction. In addition, topiramate significantly improved reported abstinence rates and reduc harmful drinking consecutions The percentage of heavy-drinking days shifted significantly from higher to lower drinking quartiles in the topiramate dispose This was associated with improvements in all psychosocial measurements.

The authors bring to an end that topiramate as an adjuvant to a medication-compliance program was superior to placebo in improving drinking issues In addition, topiramate had a positive impact onward the overall well-being and quality of life in patients with alcohol interdependence This intervention also reduced supporter severity and its harmful consecutions in these patients.

Johnson BA, et al. Oral topiramate bring tos the consequences of drinking and improves quality of life of alcohol-dependent individuals. Arch Gen Psychiatry September 2004;61:905-12

COPYRIGHT 2005 American Academy of Family Physicians

COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group