Interdisciplinary Study of Two Novel Anticonvulsants in Alcoholism

Summary

This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group design study with 4 treatment groups; levetiracetam, zonisamide, topiramate, and placebo control. Subjects will receive study medications for 14 weeks. Potential subjects will be initially screened for interest in study participation and alcohol consumption level to determine basic eligibility by telephone, or in person. Individuals who meet telephone screening criteria will be scheduled for a clinic appointment to obtain informed consent and conduct screening assessments. Subjects who report average drinks per day that are within the guidelines for safe levels of alcohol consumption (i.e. 2 drinks/ day males; 1 drink/day females-HHS standard) in the two weeks prior to screening will be excluded. Subjects meeting screening criteria will be scheduled for a second randomization visit. During this visit baseline assessments will be obtained. Eligible subjects will then be randomized to a treatment group and will be provided with the first week's study medications. The goal is to directly compare the efficacy and tolerability of two novel anticonvulsants, zonisamide and levetiracetam, with placebo, and using topiramate, which has extensive evidence supporting its efficacy in alcoholism, as a positive control group. We believe that this will be the first direct comparison of these agents in alcoholism, and the results will provide information on the efficacy and safety of the medications.

Conditions

• Alcoholism
• Alcohol Dependence
• Alcohol Abuse

Interventions

DRUG

Topiramate

Topiramate will be administered orally twice daily beginning on Day 1, Week 1 and continue through Day 7, Week 14. Subjects will be dose titrated as tolerated to a target doses 300 mg topiramate.

DRUG

Zonisamide

Zonisamide will be administered orally twice daily beginning on Day 1, Week 1 and continue through Day 7, Week 14. Subjects will be dose titrated as tolerated to a target doses of 2000 400 mg of zonisamide.

DRUG

Levetiracetam

Levetiracetam will be administered orally twice daily beginning on Day 1, Week 1 and continue through Day 7, Week 14. Subjects will be dose titrated as tolerated to a target doses of 2000 mg levetiracetam capsules.

DRUG

Sugar Pill

Matched placebo will be administered orally twice daily beginning on Day 1, Week 1 and continue through Day 7, Week 14.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

  collaborator NIH

• Boston Medical Center

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Domenic A Ciraulo, MD · Boston University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

21 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2009-05-31

Primary Completion

2013-08-31

Completion

2013-08-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations