2007 Baclofen, GHB und Naltrexon

GHB (Gamma-Hydoxybutyrat) und Baclofen wirken beide als Anti-Craving Substanzen im GABAergen System. In einer Studie von F.Caputo et al. Comparing and combining gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and naltrexone in maintaining abstinence from alcohol: an open randomised comparative study ( 2007) konnte gezeigt werden, dass am Ende einer dreimonatigen Behandlung mit GHB und /oder Naltrexon folgende Abstinenzraten erreicht wurden:
GHB 40%
GHB + Naltrexon 72,2%
Naltrexon 5,9%
Die Wirkung von GHB + Naltrexon liefert ein überzeugendes Ergebniss.

Aufgrund der ähnlichen Wirkung von GHB und Baclofen ist die z.Zt. (Stand Dez.2009) noch laufende Studie von James C. Garbutt (University of North Carolina) „ Combination of Naltrexone and Baclofen for Alcohol Dependence: A Pilot Study“ (NCT00614328) sehr interessant. Hier ein Auszug:

Detailed Description
The purpose of this research study is to learn about the use of a combination of two medications, baclofen and naltrexone, for the treatment of alcohol dependence in men and women ages 25-60 years old. Naltrexone is an FDA approved medication for treatment of alcohol dependence. The most widely accepted idea for naltrexone's effect is that it reduces the alcohol "high", which decreases a desire to consume alcohol. As a result, alcoholic patients treated with naltrexone are less likely to relapse to heavy drinking. Furthermore, naltrexone treated patients drink fewer days and are more likely to maintain abstinence.
However, naltrexone does not have any effect on other symptoms that may contribute to relapse such as anxiety, sleep problems and irritability. Baclofen, an FDA approved medication for muscle spasms, may improve some of these symptoms.
Baclofen has been studied for alcoholism in Italy in 45 individuals in two studies. In the two Italian studies, baclofen significantly reduced alcohol withdrawal symptoms and craving for alcohol, as well as the use of alcohol. These data have been supported by the results of our own pilot study conducted here at UNC in 12 subjects with alcohol dependence. That study showed that baclofen was generally well tolerated, and some individuals had significant improvements in their drinking. Furthermore, we have recently completed enrolling 80 alcohol dependent patients into a placebo-controlled study of baclofen and are currently analyzing the data.
Therefore, the purpose of the current study is to gather information on whether adding baclofen to naltrexone is feasible and well tolerated.

Es bleibt zu hoffen, dass die Ergebnisse möglichst kurzfristig veröffentlicht werden.

Die Studie ist seit längerem abgeschlossen :

Efficacy and Safety of Baclofen for Alcohol Dependence: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Alcohol Clin Exp Res. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2011 November 1.
Published in final edited form as:
Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2010 November; 34(11): 1849–1857.
doi: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2010.01273.x

James C Garbutt, M.D., Alexei B Kampov-Polevoy, M.D., Ph.D., Robert Gallop, Ph.D., Linda Kalka-Juhl, and Barbara A. Flannery, Ph.D.

Department of Psychiatry and the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina (JCG, ABKP, LKJ, BAF); Research Triangle International, Baltimore, Maryland (BAF); West Chester University, West Chester, Pennsylvania (RG)
Corresponding Author: James C. Garbutt, M.D., Department of Psychiatry, CB#7160, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599-7160; fax 919-966-5628; phone 919-966-4652; Email: jc_garbutt@med.unc.edu

In dem Artikel ist eine Fülle von Verweisen angegeben, die ich mir noch etwas näher anschauen werde.
Den Namen James C. Garbutt sollte man sich jedenfalls merken (hat wohl auch mit Addolorato zusammengearbeitet).

LG, Werner

Auch dieser Artikel ist in diesem Zusammenhang interessant :

Medical Treatment of Alcohol Dependence: A Systematic Review

Int J Psychiatry Med. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2013 April 22.
Published in final edited form as:
Int J Psychiatry Med. 2011; 42(3): 227–266.

Dr. Peter M. Miller, PhD, Dr. Sarah W. Book, MD, and Dr. Scott H. Stewart, MD

Author information:
Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina
Corresponding Author: Peter M. Miller, Ph.D., Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs, Medical University of South Carolina, 67 President Street, PO Box 250861, Charleston, SC 29425
Drs. Miller, Book, and Stewart are on the faculty of the Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.

Ich bleibe weiter am Ball...

LG, Werner