Gabapentin for Abstinence Initiation in Alcohol Dependence — GAINS  

Alcohol Dependence Clinical Trial

Official title: Gabapentin for Abstinence Initiation in Alcohol Dependence

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

Primary Hypotheses:

1. Gabapentin will significantly reduce alcohol consumption and promote abstinence as compared to placebo. The primary outcome measure will be the number of the heavy drinking days (defined as any day where the number of standard drinks was at least 5 for men and at least 4 for women) per week as measured by the timeline follow-back method.

Secondary Hypotheses:

1. Gabapentin will be superior to placebo in reducing alcohol use as measured by percent days abstinent.

Clinical Trial Description

In an 8-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled outpatient pilot trial the efficacy of gabapentin in the treatment of alcohol dependence will be studied in 60 patients. Participants will be randomly assigned to treatment under double-blind conditions with either 1) a fixed dosing schedule of gabapentin or 2) placebo. All participants will receive weekly supportive behavioral treatment that promotes abstinence from alcohol and other substances, encourages mutual-support meeting attendance, and facilitates compliance with study medication. The primary outcome measures will be: the reduction of heavy drinking days per week as measured by the timeline follow-back method.

Participants will be alcohol-dependent men and nonpregnant women who report drinking a minimum of 5 standard drinks for men or 4 standard drinks for women at least 4 days per week over the past 28 days. The daily minimum drinking requirements are consistent with the commonly accepted definition of "binge drinking." A minimum requirement of having a heavy drinking episode 4 days a week would select for a population of individuals who are drinking excessively more days than not. A minimum threshold of weekly alcohol use is set to prevent a "floor effect" (i.e. participants with minimal alcohol use at baseline would be unable to demonstrate significant improvement.) ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Alcohol Dependence
• Alcoholism

• NCT number: NCT01141049
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: New York State Psychiatric Institute
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 2/Phase 3
• Start date: August 2010
• Completion date: December 2012