"The public learned about topiramate's off-label use for alcohol addiction in the spring of 2003 when the results of a clinical trial were reported in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet and national headlines followed. Led by Professor Bankole A. Johnson, M.D, PhD, and his [then] San Antonio research team at South Texas Addiction Research and Technology (START) Center, the study generated great excitement. Topiramate not only promoted abstinence, but was also the first anti-craving medication that could be initiated when participants were beginning to curtail their drinking."

"...With all the exciting advances in psychopharmacology, we may soon learn that some new medication or drug cocktail will oust topiramate as king of the hill in balancing brain chemistry. In fact, acamprosate, which was approved by the FDA in July 2004, may be a contender for those who select abstinence. We will simply have to await the comparative data."

Roberta Jewell
My Way Out