Document Detail


Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in the treatment of alcohol and heroin dependence.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  10869867     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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.
Authors:
L Gallimberti; M R Spella; C A Soncini; G L Gessa
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.)     Volume:  20     ISSN:  0741-8329     ISO Abbreviation:  Alcohol     Publication Date:  2000 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2000-08-11     Completed Date:  2000-08-11     Revised Date:  2007-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8502311     Medline TA:  Alcohol     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  257-62     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Addictive Medicine Unit, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani 2, I-35100, Padua, Italy. l.gallimberti@libero.it
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Alcoholism / drug therapy*
Clinical Trials as Topic
Heroin Dependence / drug therapy*
Humans
Hydroxybutyrates / administration & dosage,  adverse effects,  therapeutic use*
Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / drug therapy
Substance-Related Disorders
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Hydroxybutyrates; 591-81-1/4-hydroxybutyric acid

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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