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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
07:51
A Protocol for Measuring Cue Reactivity in a Rat Model of Cocaine Use Disorder
Published on: June 18, 2018
WITHDRAWN: Carbamazepine for cocaine dependence
Anelise A R L Lima Reisser1, Mauricio Silva de Lima, Bernardo Garcia de Oliveira Soares
1Centro de Medicina Baseada em Evidências, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Av. Duque de Caxias, 250, Pelotas, RS, Brazil, 96100.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|January 23, 2009
Summary
Carbamazepine is not effective for treating cocaine dependence, showing no significant benefits in reducing cocaine use or improving anxiety. The medication was associated with a higher incidence of side effects, indicating it is not a viable treatment option.
Area of Science:
- Addiction Medicine
- Psychopharmacology
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Cocaine dependence presents significant medical, psychological, and social challenges.
- Pharmacotherapy is a key component in treating cocaine dependence, though consensus on effective treatments is lacking.
- Carbamazepine, an anticonvulsant, has been explored for cocaine dependence, but its efficacy remains unproven.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of carbamazepine in treating cocaine dependence through a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
Main Methods:
- Searched multiple databases (Cochrane, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycLIT, etc.) and other sources for relevant trials up to February 2003.
- Included randomized controlled trials comparing carbamazepine to placebo for cocaine dependence treatment.
- Extracted data independently, calculated Odds Ratios and weighted mean differences, and assessed study quality.
Main Results:
- Five studies with 455 participants were analyzed.
- No significant differences were found in cocaine metabolite levels between carbamazepine and placebo groups.
- While dropouts were slightly lower with carbamazepine, participants experienced more side effects (RR 4.33).
Conclusions:
- Current evidence does not support the clinical use of carbamazepine for cocaine dependence.
- Further large-scale randomized trials are needed for medications with more promising preliminary evidence.
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