Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome(AWS) Clinical Trial
Official title:
Gabapentin Vs. Lorazepam in Alcohol Withdrawal
The purpose of this study was to evaluate if the medication Gabapentin, which is not approved for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal, is effective in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome compared to treatment with Lorazepam.
In the current protocol we evaluated a newer generation anticonvulsant agent, gabapentin.
Gabapentin does not significantly interact with alcohol or other medications, has no abuse
potential, and is excreted by the kidneys and not the liver .
The primary aim of the present application was to evaluate the efficacy of gabapentin in
comparison to lorazepam (as a benzodiazepine gold standard) for the acute outpatient
treatment of alcohol withdrawal (AW). In addition, evaluation of the lorazepam “rebound”
effects observed during the current funding period will be replicated and compared with the
response to gabapentin. Also, the acoustic startle response was used to evaluate the
neurobiological effects of the medications on underlying AW-related CNS excitation, both
during and immediately after AW. In addition, the effect of a history of multiple
detoxifications on parameters such as withdrawal symptoms, CNS excitability, relapse to
alcohol use, craving for alcohol, and response to medication treatment was explored.
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Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double-Blind, Primary Purpose: Treatment