Efficacy of acamprosate in the treatment of alcohol-dependent outpatients
- PMID: 12975689
- DOI: 10.1590/s1516-44462003000300007
Efficacy of acamprosate in the treatment of alcohol-dependent outpatients
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and security of acamprosate in the treatment of 75 men, aged 18 to 59 years, with diagnosis of alcohol dependence according to the ICD-10.
Methods: Double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 24-week long. After a one-week detoxification period, patients were randomly divided in two groups: the first group received acamprosate (six tablets of 333 mg/d for 12 weeks) and the second group received placebo (six tablets for 12 weeks). After the first 12 weeks, patients continued the follow-up for further 12 weeks without medication.
Results: Patients who were receiving acamprosate showed significantly higher continuous abstinence time within the 24 weeks of treatment compared with patients who were assigned to placebo treatment (p=.017). Twenty-five percent of patients who were receiving acamprosate and 20% of the placebo-treated patients dropped out. Few side-effects were reported in both groups.
Conclusion: Acamprosate proved to be safe and effective in treating alcohol-dependent patients and to maintain the abstinence during 24 weeks.
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