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.