Researchers have studied data on five molecules used in the treatment of alcohol dependence. The results are inconclusive.
Drug treatment for alcohol dependence is not a panacea. This is in any case the finding of a study published in the journal Addiction, which looked at the effectiveness of several molecules used to reduce alcohol consumption in dependent people and limit the feeling of withdrawal.
The work thus focused on five molecules: nalmefene (sold in France under the name Selincro), naltrexone, acamprosate, baclofen and topiramate. Researchers reviewed 32 double-blind randomized trials, conducted between 1994 and 2015, involving a total of 6,036 patients.
Methodological biases
The results show the absence of proof of effectiveness of all of its molecules. None have shown a benefit on the health of the patients – neither on the reduction of consumption, nor on the feeling of withdrawal or improvement of well-being. A few studies have shown an effect on reducing consumption, but the work in question carried a high risk of bias, the researchers note.
Thus, most of the results from these studies are unreliable, due to an exaggeration of the efficacy of the drug studied, the authors explain. In detail, 26 studies (or 81%) produced “unclear” or “incomplete” data due to the high number of retractions among participants.
In addition, 17 studies (53%) yielded biased results because the protocols did not include a registration number, which would have allowed for further research to verify the reported results.
Efficiency to be demonstrated
“While our work is based on all the data available in the public domain, we have not been able to find clear evidence of any benefit from the use of these drugs to control alcohol consumption. This does not mean that these treatments are not effective; this means that we do not yet know if they are ”.
To evaluate the exact effectiveness of these molecules, other studies will be necessary, of better quality. This step will be necessary “in order to provide regulators with evidence enabling these treatments to be an effective risk reduction strategy”, the researchers conclude.
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