Calcium carbimide in alcoholism treatment. Part 1: A placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of short-term efficacy

• Published in: British journal of addiction Vol. 84; no. 8; p. 877
• Main Authors: Peachey, J E, Annis, H M, Bornstein, E R, Sykora, K, Maglana, S M, Shamai, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-08-1989
• Subjects: Adult; Alcohol Drinking - drug effects; Alcoholism - rehabilitation; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cyanamide - therapeutic use; Cyanides - therapeutic use; Double-Blind Method; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Random Allocation
• ISSN: 0952-0481
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1989.tb00760.x

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled single cross-over study of the alcohol sensitizing drug, calcium carbimide (CC), was conducted in 128 patients with alcohol dependence. Seventy-one (55%) completed the 4-month study. Patients reported drinking and pill-taking behaviour, and submitted urines (for analysis of alcohol and the tablet marker riboflavin) on 97%, and 91% of treatment days, respectively. All of the 69 analyzable completers were abstinent on at least 85% of days, and 58% (40) were alcohol-free during the study. Medications were taken on at least 85% of days. Symptoms and adverse clinical findings were not increased in frequency during CC, compared to placebo. Seventy-eight per cent of the patients believed they had received CC throughout the study, suggesting that CC exerts a strong psychological deterrent effect. Alcohol consumption was significantly reduced to the same extent with CC and placebo, compared to pre-treatment levels.