Agomelatine reduces craving in benzodiazepine addicts: a follow-up examination of three patients.
- Author:
Helge MÜLLER
1
;
Frank SEIFERT
;
Juan-Manuel MALER
;
Johannes KORNHUBER
;
Wolfgang SPERLING
Author Information
1. 1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany. helge.mueller@uk-erlangen.de
- Publication Type:Case Reports
- MeSH:
Acetamides;
therapeutic use;
Adult;
Antidepressive Agents;
therapeutic use;
Behavior, Addictive;
Benzodiazepines;
adverse effects;
Female;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Hypnotics and Sedatives;
adverse effects;
Lorazepam;
adverse effects;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Substance Withdrawal Syndrome;
drug therapy;
Substance-Related Disorders;
drug therapy;
Time Factors;
Treatment Outcome
- From:Singapore medical journal
2012;53(11):e228-30
- CountrySingapore
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The treatment of benzodiazepine withdrawal is difficult, and the search continues for substances that can reduce craving and the risk of relapse. Here, we report three cases of benzodiazepine addicts with histories of unsuccessful withdrawal attempts who experienced marked reductions in craving and improved relapse prognoses under add-on administration of agomelatine. These cases demonstrate a possible area of use for the antidepressant agomelatine in the treatment of benzodiazepine withdrawal and addiction. The extent to which this effect is due to the anti-craving effects of agomelatine, or its profile of receptor activation, should be further investigated in larger clinical and experimental studies.
