To explore the effectiveness and biobehavioural basis of baclofen in improving treatment outcomes for alcohol dependence in people with or without alcoholic cirrhosis in a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial.
This is a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled study investigating the efficacy of baclofen for the treatment of alcohol dependence in patients with alcoholic liver disease. Medications will be given for 12 weeks, with a further 6 months follow-up. Both male and female participants will be recruited to this study. Trial patients will be randomised to one of three treatment groups: (1) baclofen 30mg/day (10 mg t.i.d), (2) baclofen 75mg/day (25 mg t.i.d) or (3) Placebo (3 matched tabs/day). This study will also include a second, parallel group of patients with alcohol dependence (non alcoholic-liver disease patients) that will undergo the trial protocol as described above. These patients will be randomised according to a separate list into one of three treatment groups: (1) baclofen 30mg/day (10 mg t.i.d), (2) baclofen 75mg/day (25 mg t.i.d) or (3) Placebo (3 matched tabs/day).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
104
Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
alcohol consumption
as measured by the number of days abstinent, number of heavy drinking days, time to relapse, time to lapse and number of drinks per drinking day
Time frame: 12 weeks
clinical markers of liver injury
Time frame: 12 weeks
incidence of hepatic side effects
Time frame: 12 weeks
craving for alcohol
Time frame: 12 weeks
early termination due to side effects
Time frame: 12 weeks
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