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Small studies of gabapentin have shown that it reduces alcohol-related sleep and mood disturbances and craving behaviors, likely through its modulation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activation. Now, U.S. researchers have randomized 150 patients with alcohol dependence (mean age, 44; mostly white men) to daily gabapentin (900 or 1800 mg) or placebo. Patients were excluded if they had substantial psychiatric or medical comorbidities, were taking medications that might interfere with gabapentin, or had tested positive for other abused substances. All participants received weekly counseling and information about other sources of support and therapy.
Eighty-five participants completed the 12-week trial. In intent-to-treat analyses, abstinence rat…