Amantadine in the early treatment of cocaine dependence: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Author(s): Kampman K, Volpicelli JR, Alterman A, Cornish J, Weinrieb R, Epperson L, Sparkman T, O'Brien CP

Affiliation(s): University of Pennsylvania Treatment Research Center, Philadelphia 19104, USA.

Publication date & source: 1996-05, Drug Alcohol Depend., 41(1):25-33.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

A 4-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of amantadine was conducted in 61 cocaine dependent outpatients. Subjects received 100 mg of amantadine 3 times daily. A follow-up visit was conducted at week 8. There were no significant differences between groups in treatment retention, or in the number of benzoylecgonine positive urine samples. Self-reported drug and alcohol use declined in both groups. At week 8 follow-up, self-reported drug use was significantly lower in the placebo group. Amantadine was not effective, and discontinuation of it may have been associated with an increase in cocaine use.