Carbamazepine for cocaine dependence

Cocaine dependence has become a substantial public health problem, developing a significant number of medical, psychological and social problems, including the spread of infectious diseases (e.g. AIDS, hepatitis and tuberculosis), crime, violence and neonatal drug exposure. Although there is no consensus regarding how to treat cocaine dependence, effective pharmacotherapy has a potentially major role to play as part of a broader treatment milieu. The anti-convulsant carbamazepine, a tricyclic medication that is widely used to treat a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorder, has also been used for treatment of cocaine dependence, although its effectiveness has not been established.

To determine whether carbamazapine (CBZ) is effective on the treatment of cocaine dependence.

Electronic searches of Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycLIT, Biological Abstracts and LILACS; scan of reference list of relevant articles; personal communication; conference abstracts; unpublished trials from pharmaceutical industry; book chapters on treatment of cocaine dependence.

The inclusion criteria for all randomised controlled trials were that they should focus on the use of carbamazepine drugs versus placebo on the treatment of cocaine dependence. Trials including patients with additional diagnosis such as opiate dependence were also eligible.

The reviewers extracted the data independently and Odds Ratios, weighted mean difference and number needed to treat were estimated. Qualitative assessments of the methodology of eligible studies were carried out using validated checklists. The reviewers assumed that people who died or dropped out had no improvement and tested the sensitivity of the final results to this assumption. Where possible analysis was carried out according to the "intention to treat" principles.

5 studies were included in the review, with 455 people randomised. No differences were found regarding positive urine sample for cocaine metabolites. Scores on Spielberg State Anxiety Inventory slightly favoured carbamazepine, but didn't reach statistical significance. Dropouts were high in both groups up to 70% in the placebo group. Less dropout occurred in the Carbamazepine group (RR 0.87 95%CI 0.71-1.06). When no retention in treatment was due to side effects no differences were found. The number of participants presenting at least one side effect, reported in Kranzler (1995), was higher in the carbamazepine group (RR 4.33 95% CI 1.45-12.91).

There is no current evidence supporting the clinical use of CBZ in the treatment of cocaine dependence. Larger randomised investigation must be considered taking into account that these time-consuming efforts should be reserved for medications showing more relevant and promising evidence.