Oxcarbazepine in alcohol relapse prevention - A case series

Our case observations attempted to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of oxcarbazepine in relapse prevention in patients, who had repeatedly relapsed after detoxification and who had also failed to respond to acamprosate. Ten high-risk alcoholics were treated with oxcarbazepine and followed up for more than three months. We assessed craving with the OCDS. Seven patients remained abstinent and two patients reduced drinking under oxcarbazepine. Subjective craving was reduced. Treatment had to be discontinued in four patients due to side effects. Although uncontrolled case observations can only be interpreted with caution, oxcarbazepine seems to deserve further investigation and may hold the potential for preventing alcohol relapse in previously treatment-resistant alcoholics. Side effects may have occurred due to a rather fast initial increase of the oxcarbazepine dosage.