Levetiracetam for the treatment of co-occurring alcohol dependence and anxiety: case series and review.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

Alcohol dependence is frequently associated with anxiety disorders. The exact nature of the relationship between alcohol dependence and anxiety disorders is unknown, but emerging evidence suggests that in a majority of cases, the anxiety disorder is independent of the alcohol use disorder. There is pre-clinical and clinical evidence that levetiracetam, a newer generation anticonvulsant medication, may be efficacious in the treatment of co-occurring alcohol use and anxiety disorders.

METHODS:

In an open label clinical trial, three patients with alcohol dependence and a co-morbid anxiety disorder were treated with levetiracetam in doses up to 1500 mg twice daily for up to 8 weeks.

RESULTS:

All three participants reported reductions in alcohol consumption and anxiety symptoms during the study period. Levetiracetam was generally well tolerated.

CONCLUSION:

This study suggests that levetiracetam deserves further study in the treatment of alcohol dependence and co-occurring anxiety disorders.

• Authors: John J Mariani, Frances R Levin
• Journal: The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse (Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse) Vol. 34 Issue 6 Pg. 683-91 ( 2008) ISSN: 1097-9891 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 18850500 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Nootropic Agents
• Levetiracetam
• Piracetam

Topics

• Adult
• Alcohol Drinking (drug therapy)
• Alcoholism (complications, drug therapy)
• Anxiety Disorders (complications, drug therapy)
• Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry)
• Female
• Humans
• Levetiracetam
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nootropic Agents (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Piracetam (adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, pharmacology)