Metronidazole in the treatment of alcohol addiction. A controlled trial

Metronidazole (‘Flagyl’) has recently been said to be of value in treating alcoholism (Taylor, 1964). The drug is, of course, better known for its use against trichomoniasis. Three main claims have been made about it: (a) that it has an effect like disulfiram (Taylor, 1964; Bonfiglio and Donadio, 1966; Lehman, Ban and Nalchayan, 1966); (b) that it cuts short withdrawal symptoms (Lehmanet al., 1966); (c) that it reduces craving and thereby allows return to normal drinking (Lehman,et al., 1966; Elosuo, 1966; Bonfiglio and Donadio, 1966). It is this last claim that is particularly important, since other well-tried preparations are in use for the first two purposes. We report a double-blind controlled trial directed to the possible disulfiram-like effects of the drug, and to its ability to reduce craving.