Study of Campral (Acamprosate) for Alcohol Dependence in a Family Medicine Clinic

Alcohol Dependence Clinical Trial

Official title: Campral (Acamprosate) Treatment of Alcohol Dependence in a Family Medicine Setting: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

This is a study of a medication, acamprosate, which is an FDA approved medication for alcohol problems. We will be examining whether acamprosate compared to a sugar pill (placebo) is more effective for helping with drinking in a Family Medicine clinic.

Clinical Trial Description

Acamprosate has been shown to reduce drinking days in alcohol dependent patients and promote abstinence, with few reported side effects. A limitation of these studies, however, has been their lack of generalizability due to restrictive inclusion and exclusion criteria. Furthermore, most of the previous studies of acamprosate have been conducted in Europe, in a different treatment setting from the typical American Family Medicine center, where alcohol dependent patients are most likely to be first identified in the U.S.

The present study is designed to determine the efficacy of acamprosatefor alcohol dependence in a Family Medicine setting using minimal psychotherapeutic interventions—as would also likely occur in a primary care setting. The study will be a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial comparing 666 mg acamprosate t.i.d. to placebo in patients at the UNC Family Medicine Center with alcohol dependence. Subjects will be seen by Family Medicine physicians and receive brief motivational interventions. Primary efficacy will be determined by measuring % days abstinent and secondary outcomes include rates of complete abstinence, % heavy drinking days, CGI and GGT in the acamprosate group compared to the placebo group. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Alcohol Dependence
• Alcoholism

• NCT number: NCT00381043
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 4
• Start date: August 2006
• Completion date: July 2008