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The acute effects of gabapentin in combination with alcohol in heavy drinkers

Authors :
Suzette M. Evans
Adam Bisaga
Source :
Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 83:25-32
Publication Year :
2006
Publisher :
Elsevier BV, 2006.

Abstract

Background Alcohol effects in humans involve gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission. It has been proposed that GABAergic medications may be effective in the treatment of alcohol dependence. This study evaluated the acute effects of gabapentin, an anticonvulsant that increases extracellular GABA, on the subjective, physiological, and performance effects of alcohol in heavy (mean 34 drinks per week) alcohol drinkers. Methods Seventeen volunteers without alcohol dependence were tested using a double-blind design with three 3-day long inpatient phases, each separated by at least a 1-week wash-out period. Each phase, gabapentin (0, 1000, or 2000 mg) was administered 4 h before alcohol (0.75 g/kg), which was given in four divided doses every 20 min. Results Gabapentin impaired the ability to balance without producing changes in subjective, physiological or other performance measures. Pretreatment with gabapentin did not significantly alter subjective and performance effects of alcohol and did not alter alcohol craving. Gabapentin, dose-dependently enhanced alcohol-induced tachycardia. Conclusions Acute gabapentin administration was well tolerated in combination with alcohol, but did not alter the effects of alcohol.

Details

ISSN :
03768716
Volume :
83
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....e1056b742bef347a9a803ef30de66f13
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2005.10.008