Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder
Published on: June 23, 2023
Effects of topiramate in the treatment of alcohol dependence
G Rubio1, G Ponce, M A Jiménez-Arriero
1Departamento de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Madrid, Spain. garuva@inicia.es
Background:
Anticonvulsant drugs have been used in the treatment of alcohol addiction with relatively good results. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate tolerance and safety of topiramate in patients presenting alcohol dependence.
Methods:
We studied 24 patients that fulfilled alcohol-dependence criteria (DSM-IV) and presented other psychiatric disorders for which the use of topiramate was indicated. During the 12 weeks of the study, the patients received topiramate (262 mg/day) plus the psychoactive drugs they were taking for the other disorders. Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) values and measures of craving and alcohol use were taken every 2 weeks.
Results:
Baseline rating of amount and frequency of craving and alcohol use decreased significantly by week 2, and CDT values decreased from week 6. Topiramate was well tolerated, and there were only three dropouts due to adverse events.
Conclusion:
Topiramate is safe and well tolerated, and may be beneficial in the treatment of alcohol dependence. A placebo-controlled study would be of interest.
Related Concept Videos
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists
Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators
The key GABA pathway potentiators used in epilepsy management are as follows.
Benzodiazepines are a well-known class of drugs used for their...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena

