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Safety and efficacy of γ‐vinyl GABA (GVG) for the treatment of methamphetamine and/or cocaine addiction
Author(s) -
Brodie Jonathan D.,
Figueroa Emilia,
Laska Eugene M.,
Dewey Stephen L.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
synapse
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.809
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1098-2396
pISSN - 0887-4476
DOI - 10.1002/syn.20097
Subject(s) - methamphetamine , addiction , pharmacology , chemistry , medicine , anesthesia , psychiatry
Abstract This study examined the safety and efficacy of gamma vinyl‐GABA (GVG, vigabatrin) for the treatment of methamphetamine and/or cocaine addiction. A total of 30 subjects, who met DSM‐IV criteria for methamphetamine and/or cocaine dependence, were enrolled in an open label 9‐week safety study. The protocol was specifically designed to include extensive visual field monitoring as well as outcome measures of therapeutic efficacy. Patients were screened twice weekly for the presence of urinary cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, alcohol, and marijuana. In total, 18/30 subjects completed the study and 16/18 tested negative for methamphetamine and cocaine during the last 6 weeks of the trial. GVG did not produce any visual field defects or alterations in visual acuity. Furthermore, it did not produce changes in vital signs even with continued use of methamphetamine and cocaine. Thus, under conditions that appear to be appropriate for the successful treatment of methamphetamine and/or cocaine addiction, GVG is safe. Synapse 55:122–125, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.