Viqualine, a
serotonin releaser and uptake inhibitor, was studied for its effects on consummatory behaviors (intake of
ethanol and nonalcoholic beverages, cigarette smoking, and changes in
body weight) in 29 men who were early-stage problem drinkers between 21 to 55 years of age. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive a placebo and either 100 mg/day
viqualine (n = 15) or 200 mg/day
viqualine (n = 14) orally in a double-blind crossover study.
Viqualine administration and
ethanol intake were assessed by self-reports and by measurement of
drug and
ethanol concentrations in body fluids. Compared with placebo, 100 mg/day
viqualine did not decrease
ethanol intake. However, 200 mg/day
viqualine significantly decreased the total number of drinks consumed in a 14-day period (F1,12 = 5.3; p less than 0.05). An increase in the number of abstinent days was significant only for those subjects who received the placebo first (F1,6 = 11.3, p less than 0.02). Subjects reported a decreased interest in and decreased desire for alcohol during
viqualine treatment. Patterns of response varied, but 64% of the subjects decreased the number of alcoholic drinks consumed and/or increased the number of days of abstinence by at least 25% during treatment with 200 mg/day
viqualine compared with placebo treatment. Neither dose of
viqualine had an effect on cigarette smoking or on consumption of nonalcoholic beverages, but subjects showed significant decreases in
body weight with both doses. These findings indicate that
viqualine both attenuates
ethanol intake and reduces
body weight in human beings.