Levetiracetam for the Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

Krebs, Michaël; Leopold, Karolina; Richter, Christoph; Kienast, Thorsten; Hinzpeter, Axel; Heinz, Andreas; Schaefer, Martin

doi:10.1097/01.jcp.0000219926.49799.89

Cited by 22 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 15 publications

(3 reference statements)

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“…The few available data have shown that the treatment with LEV resulted in a rapid and stable clinical improvement of AWS. Its usefulness in AWS treatment still needs to be investigated 83, 84…”

Section: Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: mechanisms, manifestations, and management

et al. 2016

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The alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a well‐known condition occurring after intentional or unintentional abrupt cessation of heavy/constant drinking in patients suffering from alcohol use disorders (AUDs). AUDs are common in neurological departments with patients admitted for coma, epileptic seizures, dementia, polyneuropathy, and gait disturbances. Nonetheless, diagnosis and treatment are often delayed until dramatic symptoms occur. The purpose of this review is to increase the awareness of the early clinical manifestations of AWS and the appropriate identification and management of this important condition in a neurological setting.

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Section: Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: mechanisms, manifestations, and management

et al. 2016

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“…New AC agents offer several advantages over classic AC: they have rapid onset of action, lower toxicity, fewer side effects, and lower interaction with alcohol and other drugs [32]. AC offer several potential advantages in the BZD detoxification process: 1) they decrease the probability of experiencing a seizure, which is a severe complication of BWS [33]; 2) they are efficacious in blocking the "kindling" effect, which refers to the neural sensitization leading to progressive worsening of subsequent withdrawal episodes [34]; 3) they lack abuse liability [35]; 4) they are useful in treating anxiety and affective symptoms that can be evident during protracted BWS [36]; and 5) they lack cognitive and psychomotor impairing effects [37]. The aim of this article is to review the use of AC agents in the management of BWS and BD.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anticonvulsant Agents for the Management of Benzodiazepine Dependence

Marín-Mayor¹,

López‐Muñoz²,

Rubio³

2014

AAD

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IntroductionChronic use of Benzodiazepines (BZDs) can lead to tolerance and dependence, as indicated by a BZD Withdrawal Syndrome (BWS). In general, it is preferred a gradual than an abrupt tapering of BZDs as a first step in the treatment of BZD Dependence (BD). In addition, a great variety of agents have been used as adjuvant medication for BD. Recently, research has focused in the use of Anticonvulsant (AC) drugs. The aim of this article is to review the use of AC in the management of BWS and BD. MethodsMEDLINE and the Cochrane were searched, selecting studies from 1980 until 2014, in which a pharmacological intervention with classic and new AC was made for discontinuing long-term BZD use. ResultsIn regard to classic AC, there were identified 10 studies related to carbamazepine and 4 studies related to valproate. On one hand, whereas there is a great body of research involving carbamazepine and there is a consensus about its efficacy for discontinuing long-term BZD use, especially in terms of improving drug-free outcomes, there have been brought inconclusive results in regard to valproate. On the other hand, studies identified of the new AC are as follows: 2 for gabapentin, 2 for oxcarbazepine, 2 for pregabalin, 1 for tigabine and 2 for topiramate. With the exception of pregabalin, only small studies and cases report have been conducted for most of the new AC. Pregabalin has demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of BD and BWS, exerting its beneficial action by reducing the severity of withdrawal and anxiety symptoms. ConclusionTo date, among AC agents, only carbamazepine and pregabalin can be considered as augmentation alternatives for the treatment of long-term BZD use. Further randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are necessary to increase the knowledge to support the use of AC for the treatment of BD and BWS.

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“…The dose of levetiracetam selected for use in this study was the same as the maximal dose used to treat alcohol withdrawal by other investigators (4).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It may help to reduce excitability associated with alcohol withdrawal by attenuating the negative allosteric effects of zinc and β-carboline on brain GABA A and glycine receptors (3). Levetiracetam administration decreased symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal (4). Animal studies demonstrated reduction of the symptoms of chlordiazepoxide withdrawal (5).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of Levetiracetam on Alcohol Consumption in Alcohol-Dependent Subjects: An Open Label Study

Sarid‐Segal

Piechniczek-Buczek

Knapp

et al. 2008

The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

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The aim of this open-label pilot study was to assess the efficacy and safety of the novel anticonvulsant agent, levetiracetam, for the treatment of alcohol dependence. A maximal dose of 2000 mg was administered daily for 10 weeks to alcohol dependent subjects (n = 20). Mean reported ethanol intake declined significantly from 5.3 to 1.7 standard drinks per day. Levetiracetam was well tolerated by most subjects.

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Levetiracetam for the Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

Cited by 22 publications

References 15 publications

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: mechanisms, manifestations, and management

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: mechanisms, manifestations, and management

Anticonvulsant Agents for the Management of Benzodiazepine Dependence

The Effects of Levetiracetam on Alcohol Consumption in Alcohol-Dependent Subjects: An Open Label Study

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