Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of baclofen and gabapentin for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence.

Author(s): Heinzerling KG, Shoptaw S, Peck JA, Yang X, Liu J, Roll J, Ling W

Affiliation(s): Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA; Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.

Publication date & source: 2006-05-29, Drug Alcohol Depend., [Epub ahead of print]

Publication type:

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a 16-week, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of two GABAergic medications, baclofen (20mg tid) and gabapentin (800mg tid), for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence. METHODS: Adults with methamphetamine dependence were randomized to one of three conditions for 16 weeks: baclofen (n=25), gabapentin (n=26) or placebo (n=37). All participants attended clinic thrice weekly to receive study medication and psychosocial counseling, complete study assessments, and provide urine samples. RESULTS: No statistically significant main effects for baclofen or gabapentin in reducing methamphetamine use were observed using a generalized estimating equation (GEE). A significant treatment effect was found in post hoc analyses for baclofen, but not gabapentin, relative to placebo among participants who reported taking a higher percentage of study medication (significant treatment group and medication adherence interaction in GEE model of methamphetamine use). CONCLUSIONS: While gabapentin does not appear to be effective in treating methamphetamine dependence, baclofen may have a small treatment effect relative to placebo. Future studies evaluating the effectiveness of baclofen and other GABAergic agents for treatment of methamphetamine may be warranted.