Levetiracetam and Disulfiram for relapse prevention in patients with alcohol dependence

Aims:We examine Levetiracetam and Disulfiram regarding their effectiveness for relapse prevention with alcohol-dependent patients. Goals of the study are: 1.) Comparison of the effectiveness on the basis of duration up to a renewed relapse. 2.) Differential use of medication depending on co-diseases, e.g. personality disorder. Method: We compare two groups of patients: One receives a medication with disulfiram, the other one a medication with levetiracetam. In both groups treatment with medication starts three days before discharge from the hospital. Before starting medication we carry out a psychological examination regarding to personality factors, depression, alcoholuse, handling emotions and impulse control. After discharge patients had to go for treatment three times a week, after eight weeks two times and after four months one time a week. During date we perform a short psychological examination regarding to depression, craving, alcoholuse and wish for abstinence. The study ends for each individual after relaps or 9 months. Results: Present result show an better effect of levetiracetam in patients with borderline personality disorder, anxiety disorder and depression than disulfiram. On the other hand disulfiram show a substantial better effect in patients with a longterm alcoholdependence and in patients without previous psychiatric disorders.