Efficacy and safety of levetiracetam in the inpatient treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome

Trial objectives is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam (LTC)for treating alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) in inpatients (vs. placebo) in alcohol detoxification. The primary come-out parameter is the reduction of the total needed amount of diazepam for add-on treatment of acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Methodology: The multi-centrically prospective randomised double blind placebo-controlled trial (LTC vs. placebo) has a sample size of 2×60 patients. We use an add-on treatment by symptom-triggered diazepam. The inpatients recieved over 6 days a dosis of altogether 7000mg LTC. Result: It is to be summarized that LTC has shown a significant reduction of the total needed amount of diazepam (accurate data stand briefly before the evaluation and will be presented at time). LTC has a good efficacy as treatment for treating alcohol withdrawal syndrome. LTC also has a favourable pharmacological profile: It is excreted by the kidney and has no influences on the cytochrome P450 system. Therefore LTC has very low risk and it is safe in patients with alcohol dependence.

This study was supported by UCB