Paper P.6.e.001:

Oxcarbazepine in treatment of alcohol and heroin

Citation: European Neuropsychopharmacology The Journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, Volume 17 Supplement 4, Page S558

Substance use disorders (SUD) are both very common and the most severe psychiatric disorders, with highest prevalence among others. According to neuroadaptive model, prolonged presence of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) induces changes in brain-cell functioning (sensitization) expetially in midbrain dopaminergic system, glutaminergic, GABA-ergic, and endogenous opioids, which in the absence of AOD induces imbalance in brain activity that results in craving.

Oxcarbazepine (OXC) is beleived to inhibit voltage-sensitive sodium channels, and MHD reduces high-voltage activated calcium currents in striatal and cortical neurons, which finally reduces glutaminergic neurotransmission in corticostriatal synapses. OXC has no interactions with AOD, any addiction potential, and OXC and MHD has no capacity for inhibition of the most P 450 cytochrom enzyme systems.

Aim of this study was to ascertain the efficiency of the OXC therapy in the treatment of alcohol and heroin induced craving.

Patients were monitored for 6 months in hospital and outpatient conditions, according to specially designed protocol, which included Alcohol Craving Scale (ACS score) and Drug Craving Scale (DCS score).

ACS and DCS scores are significantly lower in OXS groups from tenth day of treatment. OXC has statistically significant anticraving effect in both alcohol and heroin addicts, and significant efficacy in prevention of relapse without unwanted therapy side effects.

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