Posted by Tony P on October 21, 2004, at 19:31:56
I recently saw a consultant (MD, addictions specialist) who amongst other things recommended acamprosate (Campral) &/or topiramax (Topamax) for reduction of cravings and relapse prevention. The literature I've found on the web so far only mentions their use in alcoholism. I am certainly an alcoholic, but I've been sober for > 2 years now, and experience very little craving for booze. My problem at present is with other drugs, and mixed anxiety/depression. I'm interested in anybody's experience with either of these meds in maintaining abstinence (as opposed to reducing consumption), especially from sedative/tranquilizer drugs other than alcohol.
I am currently on Lamictal (lamotrigine) 300 mg/day, and find it is for me at best a mild antidepressant. It certainly doesn't seem to reduce my relapse rate on my current "drug of choice", Robaxin, or other drugs such as benzodiazepines, Soma and dextromethorphan. I've been working my way down from 4mg clonazepine a day to (currently) 1 mg/day, and hope to get it down to zero in a month or so. But the increasing anxiety, compulsiveness and muscle tension make it hard to stay abstinent from other tranquilizers or muscle relaxants.
Much of what I've read here on babble and on the web implies that Topamax for many people is like Lamictal but with worse side effects. I think my pdoc who put me on Lamictal may have mentioned it when I first saw him but had similar concerns about S/E.
Acamprosate is not yet officially available in Canada (where I live), but has been approved this year by the FDA for treatmeny of alcoholism. It's also available on the web, but I'd want more input both from my MD & pdoc and from people who have tried it before I experiment.
I am concerned too from the allusions to dopamine & NMDA receptors in some articles that these meds might increase anhedonia (or the blahs), whereas what I need at the moment is MORE joy and enthusiasm for life.
I would particularly appreciate hearing others' experience with any of these meds in helping reduce relapse on drugs other than alcohol.
Tony
poster:Tony P
thread:405639
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20041013/msgs/405639.html