A new study published by the scientific journal Addiction has found no reliable evidence for using nalmefene, naltrexone, acamprosate, baclofen or topiramate to control drinking in patients with alcohol dependence or alcohol use disorder. At best, some treatments showed low to medium efficacy in reducing drinking, but those findings were from studies with a high risk of bias. None demonstrated any benefit on health outcomes.
The study pooled the results from 32 double-blind randomised controlled trials representing 6,036 patients, published between 1994 and 2015. The studies compared the effects of oral nalmefene (n=9), naltrexone (n=14), acamprosate (n=1), baclofen (n=4) and topimarate (n=4) against placebo.
Many of the studies provided unreliable results due to risk of bias (potential exaggeration of the effects of the drug). Twenty-six studies (81%) showed an unclear or high risk of incomplete outcome data due to the large number of withdrawals. Seventeen studies (53%) showed an unclear or a high risk of selective outcome reporting, as they did not include a protocol registration number, which would allow another researcher to check whether all outcomes were reported.
Clément Palpacuer, et. al. Pharmacologically controlled drinking in the treatment of alcohol dependence or alcohol use disorders: a systematic review with direct and network meta-analyses on nalmefene, naltrexone, acamprosate, baclofen and topiramate. Addiction, 2017; DOI: 10.1111/add.13974
Back to the drawing board.
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Sunday September 24 2017, @10:22AM
The Chivas Regal has been almost a ..... ...... A sacrosanct, untouchable god-like statue or idea: my son was born 2.5 months premature. In the hospital, the doctor fecked up and almost killed him (but try to prove that in court). I watched him turn black from his calcium levels being so low. Stopped breathing, cardiac arrest. Pretty much dead. The neonatal NURSES saved his life while the resident doctor almost pissed herself she was shaking so much in fear and inability to act (go nurses!).
Had bought the Chivas before that and now it is a symbol of celebrating his life, but yeah: will probably just have to give it to my brother and dad.
What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.
(Also makes me glad I'm Canadian: can't imagine how we would have paid his hospital bill).
Anyway, thanks for 'listening'........it does help.
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---