Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid and alcohol-related syndromes

We report on the effectiveness and safety of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in t he therapy of overt alcohol withdrawal syndromes, their prevention, and the prevention of relapses in formerly detoxified alcoholics. We studied 321 p atients (236 men, 85 women), divided into two open-study groups for the tre atment and prevention of alcohol withdrawal syndromes and one double-blind study group to evaluate the effects of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid versus pla cebo on alcoholic craving and relapses in detoxified patients. Gamma-hydrox ybutyric acid treatment promptly reduced withdrawal symptoms in all patient s and prevented alcohol withdrawal syndromes in 55% of cases. The attenuati on of craving in detoxified patients was significantly greater in the gamma -hydroxybutyric acid-treated group in comparison with the placebo-treated g roup. The therapeutic use of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid was not accompanied by serious side effects. Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid diversion was poorly rep resented: gamma-hydroxybutyric acid-induced abuse was reported in 4 (1.1%) of 345 treated patients, and only 9 cases of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid acut e poisoning were reported in the years 1992-1995. Our results suggest that gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, with a favorable risk/benefit ratio, is a clinic ally useful drug in the treatment of alcohol dependence. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.