Abstract
We briefly review two double-blind, placebo-controlled surveys conducted in this laboratory with the aim of evaluating the efficacy of gamma- hydroxybutyric acid in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome as well as alcohol craving and consumption in alcoholics. In the first study, acute administration of 50 mg/kg gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, a nonhypnotic dose in alcoholic patients, resulted in a rapid and significant reduction of the severity score of alcohol withdrawal signs and symptoms that lasted as long as 7 hours. In the second study, treatment with 50 mg/kg/day gamma- hydroxybutyric acid for 3 consecutive months (1) reduced the number of daily drinks by approximately 50%, (2) increased the days of abstinence approximately threefold, and (3) reduced the alcohol craving score by up to 60%. These results feature gamma-hydroxybutyric acid as an effective agent for the treatment of alcohol dependence. Data on the effect of gamma- hydroxybutyric acid on opiate withdrawal syndrome also are reviewed. Administration of 25 mg/kg induced a marked reduction of opiate withdrawal score in both heroin- and methadone-dependent subjects. Finally, we report the cases of adverse reactions to and abuse of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid revealed in a retrospective analysis of patients recruited in this laboratory over a 10-year period. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 257-262 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Alcohol |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2000 |
Keywords
- Alcohol craving and consumption
- Alcohol withdrawal syndrome
- Alcoholics
- Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid
- Heroin addicted
- Opiate withdrawal syndrome
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
- Medicine(all)
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Neuroscience(all)
- Toxicology
- Health(social science)