The Use of GHB in Anticraving Therapy. Preliminary Experimental Data of its Use in Alcohol and Heroin Dependence

Zolesi, O.; Daini, L.; Capone, M. R.; Aglietti, Marcella; Raimondi, F.; Maremmani, Icro

doi:10.1007/978-3-7091-6901-8_8

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 2 publications

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“…It is a substitute for ethanol in alcohol-preferring rats. GHB has been reported to decrease ethanol intake in alcoholics in the short term (Zolesi et al 1995;Biggio et al 1992;Gallimberti et al 1992;Gallimberti et al 1989). Aims of the present study were:…”

Section: Pharmacological Treatment Of Alcoholismmentioning

confidence: 97%

Long-Term Therapy using GHB (Sodium Gamma Hydroxybutyrate) for Treatment-Resistant Chronic Alcoholics

Maremmani

Lamanna

Tagliamonte

2001

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs

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Thirty-five alcohol-dependent patients according to DSM-IV criteria who also met criteria for treatment resistance were treated with doses of gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) ranging between 25 and 100 mg/kg/die in an open one-year study. The results show that no patients discontinued the program during the first month of treatment. Sixty percent of these patients successfully completed the protocol; 11.4% showed complete abstinence (full responder patients); 14.3% strongly reduced their alcohol intake (partial responder patients) and 34.3% of the patients were still under treatment after one year. Forty percent of the patients were nonresponders. The retention rate under treatment of the studied sample was statistically higher than that found during the last treatment of the same subjects. No significant differences were found between full responder and partial responder patients regarding changes in clinical features, alcohol intake or social adjustment. Patients still in treatment after one year significantly differed from nonresponder patients on all the variables investigated. A six-times/daily fractionated administration of the GHB dose was the only significant predictor of the retention rate.

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Section: Pharmacological Treatment Of Alcoholismmentioning

confidence: 97%

Long-Term Therapy using GHB (Sodium Gamma Hydroxybutyrate) for Treatment-Resistant Chronic Alcoholics

Maremmani

Lamanna

Tagliamonte

2001

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs

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Post-marketing and clinical safety experience with sodium oxybate for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome and maintenance of abstinence in alcohol-dependent subjects

Addolorato

Lesch²,

Maremmani

et al. 2019

Expert Opinion on Drug Safety

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Review. The role of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in the treatment of alcoholism: from animal to clinical studies

Poldrugo

Addolorato²

1999

Alcohol and Alcoholism

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Since its discovery nearly 40 years ago, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) has attracted several waves of scientific interest due to new developments in the knowledge of its mechanisms of action and ideas for its potential use in clinical practice. Its effects have been claimed to treat different psychiatric conditions, but over time its use has become limited to a few specific situations (e.g. sedating patients in non-painful surgical procedures and narcolepsy). New interest in the drug derives from its potential use in the treatment of alcoholism. Recent studies demonstrated a marked effect of the substance in suppressing ethanol (ETOH) withdrawal symptoms and in reducing craving for alcohol, compared to other available drugs. However, GHB has to be given under very careful supervision because of its side-effects, including the risk of abuse and dependence and possible interference with the metabolic pathways of endogenous GHB and ETOH. This short review discusses these and related issues and we hope that it will stimulate further interest in GHB.

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The Use of GHB in Anticraving Therapy. Preliminary Experimental Data of its Use in Alcohol and Heroin Dependence

Cited by 3 publications

References 2 publications

Long-Term Therapy using GHB (Sodium Gamma Hydroxybutyrate) for Treatment-Resistant Chronic Alcoholics

Long-Term Therapy using GHB (Sodium Gamma Hydroxybutyrate) for Treatment-Resistant Chronic Alcoholics

Post-marketing and clinical safety experience with sodium oxybate for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome and maintenance of abstinence in alcohol-dependent subjects

Review. The role of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in the treatment of alcoholism: from animal to clinical studies

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