Efficacy of Topiramate for Hospitalized Patients With Alcoholism

Inclusion Criteria: * patients hospitalized due to alcohol-related problem * DSM-IV-TR alcohol dependence * for male: history of alcohol drink \>=35/week, female: history of alcohol drink \>=28/week for at least 1 week during four weeks prior to the admission * AUDIT score at least 8 * mild or no alcohol withdrawal symptom * BMI \> 18 kg/m2 * not pregnant and no plan for pregnancy * intention to decrease or stop drinking Exclusion Criteria: * severe psychiatric and cognitive disorders * other substance dependence, except nicotine and caffeine dependence, during 6 months prior to enrollment * taking antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, anticonvulsants, opioid analgesics, systemic steroids, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, hydrochlorthiazide, metformin, pioglitazone, or disulfiram * unstable medical condition * medical history of narrow angle glaucoma, renal impairment, kidney stones, and seizures * moderate to high risk of suicide * under legal process * plan to receive a formal treatment for alcoholism from other treatment settings * pregnancy and nursing woman * abnormal laboratory tests, including blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, electrolytes, and fasting blood sugar