Gamma-hydroxybutyrate reduces both withdrawal syndrome and hypercortisolism in severe abstinent alcoholics: an open study vs. diazepam.
Felice Nava,Stefania Premi,Ezio Manzato,Wally Campagnola,Alfio Lucchini,Gian Luigi Gessa
In 42 alcoholic inpatients we performed an open randomized study to compare the effects of diazepam and gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) on the suppression of severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome and hypercortisolism. Both diazepam (.5 mg/kg bodyweight, q.i.d.) and GHB (50 mg/kg bodyweight, q.i.d.) were orally administered for three weeks. During all study period, GHB was more able than diazepam in reducing both withdrawal syndrome and hypercortisolism. These effects were evident during the first week of treatment and persisted throughout the study period. The results confirm a strict correlation between high levels of plasma cortisol and alcohol withdrawal symptoms and they show a slight superiority of GHB over diazepam in the suppression of both ethanol withdrawal and hypercortisolism. Taken together, our data suggest that GHB may act as potent anti-withdrawal agent in severe abstinent alcoholics.
KEYWORDS:
| Humans or Animals | Humans |
| Ages | All Adult: 19+ years; Adult: 19-44 years; Middle Aged: 45-64 years |
| Type of Article | Randomized Controlled Trial; Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
| Periodical |
The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse
| Publication Date |
2007
|
| Volume |
33
| Issue |
3
|
| Start Page |
| End Page |
92
|
| Vernacular Title |
| Abstract Copyright Info |
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| ISSN |
| ISSN Type |
|
| NLM ID |
7502510
| PubMed ID |
17613965
|