Efficacy of Topiramate for Hospitalized Patients With Alcoholism

Efficacy of Topiramate for Hospitalized Patients With Alcoholism: a 12-Week Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

This is a 12-Week, randomized controlled study of topiramate in hospitalized patients with alcoholism

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients hospitalized due to alcohol-related problem
• DSM-IV-TR alcohol dependence
• for male: history of alcohol drink >=35/week, female: history of alcohol drink >=28/week for at least 1 week during four weeks prior to the admission
• AUDIT score at least 8
• mild or no alcohol withdrawal symptom
• BMI > 18 kg/m2
• not pregnant and no plan for pregnancy
• intention to decrease or stop drinking

Exclusion Criteria:

• severe psychiatric and cognitive disorders
• other substance dependence, except nicotine and caffeine dependence, during 6 months prior to enrollment
• taking antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, anticonvulsants, opioid analgesics, systemic steroids, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, hydrochlorthiazide, metformin, pioglitazone, or disulfiram
• unstable medical condition
• medical history of narrow angle glaucoma, renal impairment, kidney stones, and seizures
• moderate to high risk of suicide
• under legal process
• plan to receive a formal treatment for alcoholism from other treatment settings
• pregnancy and nursing woman
• abnormal laboratory tests, including blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, electrolytes, and fasting blood sugar