Gamma Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB) for the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence: A Review

Fabio Caputo, Teo Vignoli, Icro Maremmani, Mauro Bernardi and Giorgio Zoli
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Fabio Caputo: Department of Internal Medicine, SS Annunziata Hospital, Cento (Ferrara), Italy
Teo Vignoli: -“G. Fontana” Centre for the Study and Multidisciplinary Treatment of Alcohol Addiction, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bologna, Italy
Icro Maremmani: Vincent P. Dole Dual Diagnosis Unit, Santa Chiara University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, NPB, University of Pisa, Italy
Mauro Bernardi: -“G. Fontana” Centre for the Study and Multidisciplinary Treatment of Alcohol Addiction, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bologna, Italy
Giorgio Zoli: Department of Internal Medicine, SS Annunziata Hospital, Cento (Ferrara), Italy

IJERPH, 2009, vol. 6, issue 6, 1-13

Abstract: Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is a short-chain fatty acid structurally similar to the inhibitory neurotransmitter ?-aminobutyric acid. Clinical trials have demonstrated that 50-100 mg/kg of GHB fractioned into three or six daily doses is able to suppress alcohol withdrawal symptoms and facilitates the maintenance of abstinence from alcohol. These studies have also shown that GHB craving episodes are a very limited phenomenon (about 10-15%). Thus, physicians with access should consider the clinical efficacy of GHB as a valid pharmacological tool for the treatment of alcohol addiction.

Keywords: gamma-hydroxybutyric acid; alcohol withdrawal syndrome; anti-craving drug (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009
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