Efficacy and safety of pharmacological interventions for the treatment of the Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
Abstract Background Alcohol abuse and dependence represents a very serious health problem worldwide with major social, interpersonal and legal interpolations. Pharmacological treatments presently used are of uncertain effectiveness and there is even more doubt on the comparative effects and value for money. Objectives To summarize Cochrane reviews that assess the effectiveness and safety of pharmacological […]
Oral naltrexone maintenance treatment for opioid dependence
Abstract Background Research on clinical application of oral naltrexone agrees on several things. From a pharmacological perspective, naltrexone works. From an applied perspective, the medication compliance and the retention rates are poor. Objectives To evaluate the effects of naltrexone maintenance treatment versus placebo or other treatments in preventing relapse in opioid addicts after detoxification. Search […]
Treatment for inhalant dependence and abuse
Abstract Background Inhalants are being abused by large numbers of people throughout the world, particularly socio-economically disadvantaged children and adolescents. The neuropsychological effects of acute and chronic inhalant abuse include motor impairment, alterations in spontaneous motor activity, anticonvulsant effects, anxiolytic effects, sensory effects, and effects and learning, memory and operant behaviour (e.g., response rates and […]
Opioid antagonists for alcohol dependence
Abstract Background Alcohol dependence belongs to the globally leading health risk factors. Therapeutic success of psychosocial programs for relapse prevention is moderate and could be increased by an adjuvant treatment with the opioid antagonists naltrexone and nalmefene. Objectives To determine the effectiveness and tolerability of opioid antagonists in the treatment of alcohol dependence. Search methods […]
Pharmacological treatment for depression during opioid agonist treatment for opioid dependence
Abstract Background Lifetime prevalence of depression in subjects with opioid dependence is higher than in the general population (44-54% versus 16%) and represents a risk factor for morbidity and mortality. For patients on opioid agonist treatment, current prevalence rates of depression ranges between 10 and 30%, influencing negatively the outcome of the treatment. Objectives To […]
Acamprosate for alcohol dependence
Abstract Background Alcohol dependence is among the main leading health risk factors in most developed and developing countries. Therapeutic success of psychosocial programs for relapse prevention is moderate, but could potentially be increased by an adjuvant treatment with the glutamate antagonist acamprosate. Objectives To determine the effectiveness and tolerability of acamprosate in comparison to placebo […]
Benzodiazepines for alcohol withdrawal
Abstract Background Alcohol abuse and dependence represents a serious health problem worldwide with social, interpersonal and legal interpolations. Benzodiazepines have been widely used for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Moreover it is unknown whether different benzodiazepines and different regimens of administration may have the same merits. Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of […]
Anticonvulsants for alcohol withdrawal
Abstract Background Alcohol abuse and dependence represents a most serious health problem worldwide with major social, interpersonal and legal interpolations. Besides benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants are often used for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Anticonvulsants drugs are indicated for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, alone or in combination with benzodiazepine treatments. In spite of the […]
Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) for treatment of alcohol withdrawal and prevention of relapses
Abstract Background Chronic excessive alcohol consumption may lead to dependence, and to alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) in case of abrupt drinking cessation. Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) can prevent and suppress withdrawal symptoms, and improve the medium-term abstinence rate. However, clear estimates of its beneficial and harmful effects have not been yet established. Objectives To evaluate the […]
Disulfiram for the treatment of cocaine dependence
Abstract Background Cocaine dependence is a disorder for which no pharmacological treatment of proven efficacy exists, advances in the neurobiology could guide future medication development. Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and the acceptability of disulfiram for cocaine dependence. Search methods We searched: PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL (up to January 2008), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled […]