Topamax is a drug which was created for the treatment of epilepsy, but which has also been found effective in helping people to reduce their consumption of alcohol or to abstain. The generic name for Topamax is topiramate.
A large scale randomized, placebo controlled double blind study of Topamax for the treatment of heavy drinking was published in JAMA (The Journal of the American Medical Association) in 2007. 371 subjects took part in this study. Topamax was significantly better than a placebo in reducing the percentage of heavy drinking days (p = 0.002). Statistically significant improvements were also seen in the number of abstinence days, the number of drinks per day, and in liver enzyme tests.
The biggest drawback to Topamax is that it can have some side effects which can include confusion, psychomotor slowing, difficulty with concentration/attention, difficulty with memory, speech or language problems, particularly word-finding difficulties, depression or mood problems, and somnolence or fatigue. These side effects have led some people to discontinue Topamax treatment. About 15% of the subjects in the JAMA study reported cognitive side effects
REFERENCES:
Johnson BA, Rosenthal N, Capece JA, Wiegand F, Mao L, Beyers K, McKay A, Ait-Daoud N, Anton RF, Ciraulo DA, Kranzler HR, Mann K, O'Malley SS, Swift RM; Topiramate for Alcoholism Advisory Board; Topiramate for Alcoholism Study Group. (2007). Topiramate for Treating Alcohol Dependence: A Randomized Controlled Trial. JAMA. 298(14):1641-1651 (doi:10.1001/jama.298.14.1641)
Full Text: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=209129
PubMed Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17925516
Kenna GA, Lomastro TL, Schiesl A, Leggio L, Swift RM. (2009). Review of topiramate: an antiepileptic for the treatment of alcohol dependence. Curr Drug Abuse Rev. May;2(2):135-42.
PubMed Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19630744
Olmsted CL, Kockler DR. (2008). Topiramate for alcohol dependence. Ann Pharmacother. Oct;42(10):1475-80.
PubMed Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18698008
Drugs.com Topamax information for professionals
http://www.drugs.com/pro/topamax.html
