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Evidence summaries

Anticonvulsants for Cocaine Dependence

Anticonvulsants may not be more effective than placebo for cocaine dependence. Level of evidence: "C"

A Cochrane review 1 (abstract , review [Abstract]) included 20 studies involving a total of 2068 participants. The drugs studied were carbamazepine, gabapentin, lamotrigine, phenytoin, tiagabine, topiramate, and vigabatrin. No significant differences were found for any of the efficacy measures (dropouts, use of cocaine, side effects, craving, depression or anxiety) comparing any anticonvulsants with placebo.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study quality (inadequate or unclear allocation concealment) and by imprecise results (limited study size for each comparison).

    References

    • Minozzi S, Amato L, Davoli M, Farrell M, Lima Reisser AA, Pani PP, Silva de Lima M, Soares B, Vecchi S. Anticonvulsants for cocaine dependence. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2008 Apr 16;(2):CD006754 [Assessed as up-to-date: 27 June 2014]. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords