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Topiramate may Be Useful in Treating Alcohol Addiction
The researchers say that their findings could pave the way for new treatments for alcoholism.
"What we've found is that topiramate treats the alcohol addiction, not just the 'symptom' of drinking," says lead author Professor Bankole Johnson, D.Sc., M.D., Ph.D., M.Phil., FRCPsych., chairman of the UVa Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences.
The results of the 14-week trial, which involved 371 male and female diagnosed alcoholics, indicates that topiramate was more efficacious than placebo in decreasing body mass index (BMI) and all liver enzymes including the log plasma a-glutamyl-transferase ratio, which is the objective marker of heavy drinking.
Researchers found that Topiramate was considerably more efficacious than placebo in reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure by a mean difference of 9.70 mm Hg and 6.74 mm Hg, respectively.
Topiramate also significantly lowered plasma cholesterol levels by an average of 16.4 mg/dL compared with a reduction of 5.7 mg/dL with placebo.
These combined effects suggested that topiramate might decrease the risk of heart disease in alcohol dependent individuals.
"Many alcoholics have hypertension, and some receive anti-hypertensive medication, which can complicate their treatment for alcoholism. Because topiramate can reduce drinking substantially and decrease blood pressure significantly, this allows one medication to be given instead of several," Johnson said.
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More News on: Alcoholic Liver Disease, Alcohol abuse, Cannabis, Blood Alcohol Level, Alcohol Self Screening Test, Drug Abuse, Alcohol and Driving, Bubbles and Brews - Alcohol Facts, Pancreatitis, Alcohol Addiction and Women
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guest
08/06/2008
Few treatment centers offer holistic program to address the physical, mental, emotional, interpersonal and spiritual areas for recovery. They teach the clients to lead a disciplined and healthy life style through different programs
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