ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Ivermectin (IVM) is an antiparasitic agent that has been shown to reduce alcohol intake in mice, suggesting IVM as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, the safety profile of IVM administered in combination with an intoxicating dose of alcohol has not been characterized in humans. METHODS: This pilot project sought to provide the first clinical evidence that IVM could be repositioned as an AUD pharmacotherapy by examining (i) the safety of combining IVM (30 mg oral , once a day [QD]) with an intoxicating dose of intravenous alcohol (0.08 g/dl) and (ii) the effects of IVM on alcohol cue-induced craving and subjective response to alcohol. Eleven individuals with AUD participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study in which they received the study medication, participated in a cue exposure paradigm followed by intravenous alcohol administration, and remained in an inpatient unit overnight for observation. RESULTS: IVM treatment, versus placebo, did not increase the number or severity of adverse effects during alcohol administration or throughout the visit. However, IVM did not reduce cue-induced craving nor did it significantly affect subjective response to alcohol. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that IVM (30 mg oral, QD) is safe in combination with an intoxicating dose of alcohol, but do not provide evidence that this dose of IVM is effective in reducing alcohol craving or its reinforcing effects. Given the preclinical data suggesting IVM is effective in reducing alcohol consumption in mice, additional studies testing larger samples and alternate dosing regimens are warranted to further characterize the potential efficacy of IVM as an AUD treatment.
Subject(s)
Alcohol-Related Disorders/drug therapy , Ethanol/adverse effects , Ivermectin/adverse effects , Ivermectin/therapeutic use , Administration, Intravenous , Adult , Antiparasitic Agents/adverse effects , Antiparasitic Agents/therapeutic use , Craving/drug effects , Cross-Over Studies , Ethanol/administration & dosage , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Reinforcement, Psychology , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The study examined the effects of an alcohol challenge on naturalistic drinking among alcohol-dependent individuals and explored brief motivational interviewing (MI) as a potential intervention for these participants. METHOD: Alcohol-dependent individuals (n = 32, eight females) completed the intake assessment, alcohol challenge, one MI session, and 1-month follow-up (87.5% retention) where they completed measures of drinking and motivation for change. RESULTS: As expected, multilevel mixed models revealed that drinking did not increase post-alcohol challenge. Participants reported a reduction in ambivalence, drinking days, and a trend towards fewer total drinks between the MI and 1-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with other studies, the alcohol challenge did not worsen alcohol use. Results support further investigation of brief MI for alcohol-dependent participants in alcohol challenges. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Alcohol administration to alcohol-dependent participants appears to not exacerbate naturalistic drinking. MI may be a feasible intervention for non-treatment seeking alcohol-dependent participants in alcohol challenge studies.