Topiramate on Gambling-Related Behaviours

Launched by CENTRE FOR ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH · Aug 29, 2006

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The quest for an effective pharmacotherapy for problem gambling remains an important priority for the problem gambling treatment research field. While several medications have been evaluated in controlled clinical trials no medication has been shown to unequivocally reduce gambling behaviour and, to date, no medication has been approved for treating this disorder. Recently, topiramate, indicated for the treatment of seizure disorders, has shown some promise as a pharmacotherapy for problem gambling. The most persuasive evidence for the efficacy of topiramate has been reported for alcohol (i...

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 19 - 65 years of age either gender
• • plays electronic gaming machines (e.g. slot machine, video poker)
• • meets DSM IV criteria for pathological gambling
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • females pregnant or breastfeeding at study entry
• • females of childbearing age and physically able to conceive but not on oral contraceptives or patch, unwilling to take pregnancy self-test before each test session
• • females taking oral contraceptives or patch but unwilling to use a barrier method of contraceptive during the course of the study
• • occupation involving driving or operating heavy machinery
• • BMI \< 20
• • hepatic dysfunction or hepatitis, as indicated by elevated INR, low serum albumin, or high bilirubin, or elevated AST, ALT, GGT (\>1.5 times normal)
• • clinical evidence of cirrhosis on examination
• • renal insufficiency (creatinine \>150)
• • history of renal stones
• • history of glaucoma
• • current seizure disorder
• • current use of digoxin
• • current use of benzodiazepines
• • alcohol consumption \>14 drinks /week
• • current use of anti-seizure medications (phenytoin, carbamazepine, valproic acid, primadone), antipsychotic medications (e.g., seroquel), carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (acetazolamide), metformin
• • diagnosis of Axis I disorders, including psychoactive substances disorders (except nicotine)