Trial Outcomes & Findings for Acamprosate in Alcoholics With Comorbid Anxiety or Depression (NCT NCT00330174)

NCT ID: NCT00330174

Last Updated: 2015-04-13

Results Overview

Drinking was assessed using the timeline followback (TLFB), which is a calendar-based instrument used to assess drinking and other substance use on a daily basis.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE4

Target enrollment

90 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

12 weeks

Results posted on

2015-04-13

Participant Flow

Participants were recruited from May 2006 to June 2008. The study was conducted at three sites including a rural community treatment program in South Carolina, an urban community treatment program in New York City, and at an academic setting at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Acamprosate
Acamprosate tablets
Placebo
Matching placebo tablets
Overall Study
STARTED
45
45
Overall Study
COMPLETED
23
26
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
22
19

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Acamprosate
Acamprosate tablets
Placebo
Matching placebo tablets
Overall Study
Withdrawal by Subject
7
7
Overall Study
Lost to Follow-up
4
1
Overall Study
Clinical deterioration
1
2
Overall Study
Excessive missed visits
3
8
Overall Study
Miscellaneous reasons
7
1

Baseline Characteristics

Acamprosate in Alcoholics With Comorbid Anxiety or Depression

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Acamprosate
n=45 Participants
Acamprosate tablets
Placebo
n=45 Participants
Matching placebo tablets
Total
n=90 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
n=99 Participants
0 Participants
n=107 Participants
0 Participants
n=206 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
45 Participants
n=99 Participants
45 Participants
n=107 Participants
90 Participants
n=206 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants
n=99 Participants
0 Participants
n=107 Participants
0 Participants
n=206 Participants
Age, Continuous
43.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.9 • n=99 Participants
44.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.7 • n=107 Participants
44.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.3 • n=206 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
16 Participants
n=99 Participants
19 Participants
n=107 Participants
35 Participants
n=206 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
29 Participants
n=99 Participants
26 Participants
n=107 Participants
55 Participants
n=206 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
45 participants
n=99 Participants
45 participants
n=107 Participants
90 participants
n=206 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks

Population: The primary outcome measure is difference in cumulative days abstinent. Based on the meta-analysis by Mann et al (2004). A total sample of 90 participants would be able to detect a difference of 11 (+/- 18) days between acamprosate and placebo groups with 80% power, and Type 1 error rate of 0.05.

Drinking was assessed using the timeline followback (TLFB), which is a calendar-based instrument used to assess drinking and other substance use on a daily basis.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Acamprosate
n=45 Participants
Acamprosate tablets
Placebo
n=45 Participants
Matching placebo tablets
Percent Days Drinking
34.9 percentage of days drinking
Standard Error 0.04
31.9 percentage of days drinking
Standard Error 0.04

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks

This 10-item rating scale is commonly used in the European pharmacotherapy trials, and it may have benefit in assessing substance abusers, because it focuses on cognitive symptoms of depression instead of the physical symptoms, which could be due to substance use and withdrawal (Yonkers and Samson, 2000). Total scores are used; Scale range is 0-60, with higher scores reflecting more severe symptoms.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Acamprosate
n=45 Participants
Acamprosate tablets
Placebo
n=45 Participants
Matching placebo tablets
Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
11.0 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.79
11.5 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.76

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks

The LSAS is a 24-item semi-structured clinician-administered instrument that assesses social anxiety through the evaluation of fear and avoidance of different social and performance situations. There are two subscales (avoidance and fear), with scores ranging from 0-72; Total score for instrument ranges from 0-144. This study only reports on total score. Higher scores reflect greater anxiety symptoms.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Acamprosate
n=45 Participants
Acamprosate tablets
Placebo
n=45 Participants
Matching placebo tablets
Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale
22.5 units on a scale
Standard Error 3.09
23.2 units on a scale
Standard Error 30.5

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks

This is a 14-item self report assessment that contains two subscales (depression and anxiety) with each subscale ranging from 0-21; the total score ranges from 0-42. We report total scores. Higher scores represent worse symptoms.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Acamprosate
n=45 Participants
Acamprosate tablets
Placebo
n=45 Participants
Matching placebo tablets
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
10.5 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.87
9.4 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.84

Adverse Events

Acamprosate

Serious events: 1 serious events
Other events: 25 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Placebo

Serious events: 1 serious events
Other events: 21 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Serious adverse events
Measure
Acamprosate
n=45 participants at risk
Acamprosate tablets
Placebo
n=45 participants at risk
Matching placebo tablets
Psychiatric disorders
Clinical Deterioration
2.2%
1/45 • Number of events 1
2.2%
1/45 • Number of events 1

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Acamprosate
n=45 participants at risk
Acamprosate tablets
Placebo
n=45 participants at risk
Matching placebo tablets
General disorders
Headache
28.9%
13/45 • Number of events 15
43.2%
16/37 • Number of events 20
Gastrointestinal disorders
Diarrhea
15.6%
7/45 • Number of events 7
22.2%
10/45 • Number of events 10
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea
11.1%
5/45 • Number of events 5
11.1%
5/45 • Number of events 5

Additional Information

Susan Sonne, PharmD, BCPP

Medical University of South Carolina

Phone: 843.792.5221

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place