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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

A Protocol for Measuring Cue Reactivity in a Rat Model of Cocaine Use Disorder

A Protocol for Measuring Cue Reactivity in a Rat Model of Cocaine Use Disorder

Published on: June 18, 2018

Anticonvulsants for cocaine dependence.

S Minozzi¹, L Amato, M Davoli

¹ASL RM E, Department of Epidemiology, via Pellicone 5, Fosdinovo, Italy, 54035. sminozzi1@alice.it

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

|April 22, 2008

Summary

Current research indicates that anticonvulsant medications are not effective for treating cocaine dependence. Further investigation is needed to find viable pharmacological treatments for this public health issue.

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Published on: February 18, 2016

Area of Science:

Pharmacology
Addiction Medicine
Clinical Trials

Background:

Cocaine dependence is a significant public health concern with high relapse rates and numerous medical and psychosocial issues.
Despite extensive research and clinical trials, no effective pharmacotherapy currently exists for cocaine dependence, unlike for alcohol or heroin dependence.
Anticonvulsants have been explored for addiction treatment, based on theories linking seizure-like brain mechanisms to addiction development.

Purpose of the Study:

To assess the effectiveness and acceptability of anticonvulsant medications for treating cocaine dependence.

Main Methods:

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials was conducted.
Searches were performed in major databases including Cochrane Drugs and Alcohol Group register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL up to March 2007.
Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers.

Main Results:

Fifteen studies involving 1066 participants evaluated anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine, gabapentin, lamotrigine, phenytoin, tiagabine, topiramate, and valproate.
No significant differences in efficacy were observed when comparing any anticonvulsant to placebo for cocaine dependence treatment.
Placebo was found to be superior to gabapentin in reducing dropouts and superior to phenytoin in managing side effects.

Conclusions:

Existing evidence from limited and small clinical trials does not support the use of anticonvulsants for cocaine dependence.
There is an urgent need for improved primary research in addiction treatment to identify effective pharmacological agents for cocaine dependence.
Future research should focus on investigating other pharmacological agents to address the unmet treatment needs for cocaine dependence.