Effectiveness of Gabapentin When Used With Naltrexone to Treat Alcohol Dependence Compared to Placebo and Naltrexone Alone

Overview[ - collapse ][ - ]

Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine whether, after a period of abstinence, adding 6 weeks of gabapentin (a medication approved to treat seizures) to a standard 16-week naltrexone (an opiate blocking agent approved for the treatment of alcohol dependence) treatment protocol is helpful in decreasing relapse to drinking compared to naltrexone alone or placebo. All participants will receive alcohol counseling.
ConditionAlcohol Dependence
InterventionDrug: Naltrexone
Drug: Naltrexone plus Gabapentin
Other: Inactive Placebo
PhasePhase 3
SponsorMedical University of South Carolina
Responsible PartyMedical University of South Carolina
ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT00183196
First ReceivedSeptember 13, 2005
Last UpdatedApril 23, 2013
Last verifiedJanuary 2013

Tracking Information[ + expand ][ + ]

First Received DateSeptember 13, 2005
Last Updated DateApril 23, 2013
Start DateJanuary 2003
Estimated Primary Completion DateJune 2009
Current Primary Outcome MeasuresTime to Relapse to Drinking [Time Frame: 16 weeks] [Designated as safety issue: No]Time to relapse drinking which is 5 standard drinks for males and 4 standard drinks for females. Subjects had a minimum of 4 days of abstinence prior to being entered into the protocol.
Current Secondary Outcome MeasuresNot Provided

Descriptive Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Brief TitleEffectiveness of Gabapentin When Used With Naltrexone to Treat Alcohol Dependence Compared to Placebo and Naltrexone Alone
Official TitleGabapentin as an Adjunct to Naltrexone for Alcoholism
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine whether, after a period of abstinence, adding 6
weeks of gabapentin (a medication approved to treat seizures) to a standard 16-week
naltrexone (an opiate blocking agent approved for the treatment of alcohol dependence)
treatment protocol is helpful in decreasing relapse to drinking compared to naltrexone alone
or placebo. All participants will receive alcohol counseling.
Detailed Description
Subjects will enter the trial after maintaining 4 days of abstinence. During this period
multiple assessments will be collected. After entering the double blind treatment portion
of the study, they will be evaluated weekly for the first month, then bi-weekly until week
12 and again at week 16. There will be two follow-up visits at weeks 28 and 40. Urinary
riboflavin and pill counts will be utilized to determine compliance with the medication
regime.

Comparison(s): Naltrexone (50 mg/day) alone for 16-weeks; naltrexone (50 mg/day) for
16-weeks plus gabapentin (up to 1200 mg/day in divided doses) for the first 6 weeks, or
inactive placebos. All subjects will receive up to 20 sessions of individual alcohol
counseling.
Study TypeInterventional
Study PhasePhase 3
Study DesignAllocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment
ConditionAlcohol Dependence
InterventionDrug: Naltrexone
Naltrexone (50 mg/day) plus gabapentin placebo in divided doses for the first 6weeks. Naltrexone (50 mg/day) for rest of 16-weeks
Drug: Naltrexone plus Gabapentin
naltrexone (50 mg/day) for 16-weeks plus gabapentin (up to 1200 mg/day in divided doses) for the first 6 weeks
Other: Inactive Placebo
Placebo
Study Arm (s)
  • Active Comparator: 1
    Naltrexone plus placebo
  • Active Comparator: 2
    naltrexone + gabapentin
  • Sham Comparator: 3
    Placebo plus placebo

Recruitment Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Recruitment StatusCompleted
Estimated Enrollment150
Estimated Completion DateJune 2009
Estimated Primary Completion DateDecember 2008
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

- Meet criteria for primary alcohol dependence including loss of control of drinking

- No more than one previous inpatient medical detoxification

- Consumes on average 5 standard drinks for men and 4 standard drinks for women

- Able to maintain sobriety for 4 days (with or without detox medications).

- Able to read and understand questionnaires and Informed Consent

- Lives within 50 miles of the study site

Exclusion Criteria:

- Currently meets DSM-IV criteria for any other psychoactive substance dependency
disorder except nicotine dependence

- Ever abused opiates

- Any psychoactive substance abuse, except marijuana and nicotine within the last 30
days as evidenced by subject report, collateral report, or urine drug screen.

- Meets DSM-IV criteria for current Axis I disorder of major depression, panic
disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress syndrome, bipolar
affective disorder, dissociative disorder or eating disorder, schizophrenia, or any
other psychotic disorder or organic mental disorder.

- Has current suicidal or homicidal ideation

- Need for maintenance or acute treatment with any psychoactive medication including
antiseizure medications.

- Current use of disulfiram.

- Clinically significant medical problems, such as cardiovascular, renal, GI or
endocrine problem that would impair participation or limit medication ingestion.

- Hepatocellular disease indicated by elevations of SGPT (ALT) and SGOT (AST) of at
least 3.0 times normal at screening and/or after 5 days of abstinence.

- Sexually active females of child bearing potential who are pregnant (by urine HCG),
nursing or who are not using a reliable form of birth control.

- Has current charges pending for a violent crime (not including DUI related offenses).

- Does not have a stable living situation and a reliable source of collateral
reporting.

- Has taken an opiate antagonist drug in the last month.

- Has taken gabapentin in the last month or has experienced adverse effects from it at
any time in the past.
GenderBoth
Ages18 Years
Accepts Healthy VolunteersNo
ContactsNot Provided
Location CountriesUnited States

Administrative Information[ + expand ][ + ]

NCT Number NCT00183196
Other Study ID NumbersNIAAAANT09568-2005a
Has Data Monitoring CommitteeNo
Information Provided ByMedical University of South Carolina
Study SponsorMedical University of South Carolina
CollaboratorsNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Investigators Principal Investigator: Raymond F. Anton, MD Medical University of South Carolina
Verification DateJanuary 2013

Locations[ + expand ][ + ]

Medical University of South Carolina, Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs
Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 29425