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Belelli D, Riva A, Nutt DJ. Reducing the harms of alcohol: nutritional interventions and functional alcohol alternatives. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 175:241-276. [PMID: 38555118 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
The health risks and harm associated with regular alcohol consumption are well documented. In a recent WHO statement published in The Lancet Public Health alcohol consumption has been estimated to contribute worldwide to 3 million deaths in 2016 while also being responsible for 5·1% of the global burden of disease and injury. The total elimination of alcohol consumption, which has been long imbedded in human culture and society, is not practical and prohibition policies have proved historically ineffective. However, valuable strategies to reduce alcohol harms are already available and improved alternative approaches are currently being developed. Here, we will review and discuss recent advances on two main types of approaches, that is nutritional interventions and functional alcohol alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia Belelli
- GABALabs Res. Senior Scientific Consultant, United Kingdom
| | - Antonio Riva
- Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology (Foundation for Liver Research), London; Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London
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2
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Haque LY, Zuluaga P, Muga R, Fuster D. Treatment of alcohol use disorder in patients with alcohol-associated liver disease: Innovative approaches and a call to action. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2024; 19:19. [PMID: 38504384 PMCID: PMC10949674 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-024-00448-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Alcohol-associated liver disease is currently the leading cause of liver transplantation and liver deaths both in Europe and the United States. Efficacious treatments exist for alcohol use disorder, but they are seldomly prescribed for patients who need them. Besides, the presence of liver cirrhosis can complicate pharmacological treatment choices. In this review, we discuss established and innovative treatment strategies to treat unhealthy alcohol use in patients with alcohol-associated liver disease. We also describe the experience of our own institutions, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol in Badalona (Spain) and Yale-New Haven Health and Yale Medicine (Connecticut. United States of America).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamia Y Haque
- Department of Medicine, Digestive Diseases, & Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Paola Zuluaga
- Department of Internal Medicine, Addiction Unit, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08916, Badalona (Barcelona), Spain
| | - Robert Muga
- Department of Internal Medicine, Addiction Unit, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08916, Badalona (Barcelona), Spain
| | - Daniel Fuster
- Department of Internal Medicine, Addiction Unit, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08916, Badalona (Barcelona), Spain.
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3
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Sharma R, Rani VU, Benedict SHM. Baclofen from an 'anti-craving' agent to 'craved for' drug: A case report. Indian J Psychiatry 2023; 65:489-491. [PMID: 37325093 PMCID: PMC10263080 DOI: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_753_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rachit Sharma
- Department of Psychiatry, Base Hospital, Tezpur, Assam, India E-mail:
| | - V Usha Rani
- Department of Psychiatry, Base Hospital, Tezpur, Assam, India E-mail:
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Gatta E, Camussi D, Auta J, Guidotti A, Pandey SC. Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone) and alcohol use disorder: From mechanisms to potential pharmacotherapy. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 240:108299. [PMID: 36323379 PMCID: PMC9810076 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a multifaceted relapsing disorder that is commonly comorbid with psychiatric disorders, including anxiety. Alcohol exposure produces a plethora of effects on neurobiology. Currently, therapeutic strategies are limited, and only a few treatments - disulfiram, acamprosate, and naltrexone - are available. Given the complexity of this disorder, there is a great need for the identification of novel targets to develop new pharmacotherapy. The GABAergic system, the primary inhibitory system in the brain, is one of the well-known targets for alcohol and is responsible for the anxiolytic effects of alcohol. Interestingly, GABAergic neurotransmission is fine-tuned by neuroactive steroids that exert a regulatory role on several endocrine systems involved in neuropsychiatric disorders including AUD. Mounting evidence indicates that alcohol alters the biosynthesis of neurosteroids, whereas acute alcohol increases and chronic alcohol decreases allopregnanolone levels. Our recent work highlighted that chronic alcohol-induced changes in neurosteroid levels are mediated by epigenetic modifications, e.g., DNA methylation, affecting key enzymes involved in neurosteroid biosynthesis. These changes were associated with changes in GABAA receptor subunit expression, suggesting an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory signaling in AUD. This review will recapitulate the role of neurosteroids in the regulation of the neuroendocrine system, highlight their role in the observed allostatic load in AUD, and develop a framework from mechanisms to potential pharmacotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Gatta
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
| | - Diletta Camussi
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
| | - James Auta
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
| | - Alessandro Guidotti
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
| | - Subhash C Pandey
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA; Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a highly prevalent but severely under-treated disorder, with only three widely-approved pharmacotherapies. Given that AUD is a very heterogeneous disorder, it is unlikely that one single medication will be effective for all individuals with an AUD. As such, there is a need to develop new, more effective, and diverse pharmacological treatment options for AUD with the hopes of increasing utilization and improving care. In this qualitative literature review, we discuss the efficacy, mechanism of action, and tolerability of approved, repurposed, and novel pharmacotherapies for the treatment of AUD with a clinical perspective. Pharmacotherapies discussed include: disulfiram, acamprosate, naltrexone, nalmefene, topiramate, gabapentin, varenicline, baclofen, sodium oxybate, aripiprazole, ondansetron, mifepristone, ibudilast, suvorexant, prazosin, doxazosin, N-acetylcysteine, GET73, ASP8062, ABT-436, PF-5190457, and cannabidiol. Overall, many repurposed and novel agents discussed in this review demonstrate clinical effectiveness and promise for the future of AUD treatment. Importantly, these medications also offer potential improvements towards the advancement of precision medicine and personalized treatment for the heterogeneous AUD population. However, there remains a great need to improve access to treatment, increase the menu of approved pharmacological treatments, and de-stigmatize and increase treatment-seeking for AUD.
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Romito JW, Turner ER, Rosener JA, Coldiron L, Udipi A, Nohrn L, Tausiani J, Romito BT. Baclofen therapeutics, toxicity, and withdrawal: A narrative review. SAGE Open Med 2021; 9:20503121211022197. [PMID: 34158937 PMCID: PMC8182184 DOI: 10.1177/20503121211022197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Baclofen is an effective therapeutic for the treatment of spasticity related to multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, and other spinal cord pathologies. It has been increasingly used off-label for the management of several disorders, including musculoskeletal pain, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and alcohol use disorder. Baclofen therapy is associated with potential complications, including life-threatening toxicity and withdrawal syndrome. These disorders require prompt recognition and a high index of suspicion. While these complications can develop following administration of either oral or intrathecal baclofen, the risk is greater with the intrathecal route. The management of baclofen toxicity is largely supportive while baclofen withdrawal syndrome is most effectively treated with re-initiation or supplementation of baclofen dosing. Administration of other pharmacologic adjuncts may be required to effectively treat associated withdrawal symptoms. This narrative review provides an overview of the historical and emerging uses of baclofen, offers practical dosing recommendations for both oral and intrathecal routes of administration, and reviews the diagnosis and management of both baclofen toxicity and withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia W Romito
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain
Management, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,
USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Neurology, The University
of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Emily R Turner
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain
Management, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,
USA
| | - John A Rosener
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain
Management, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,
USA
| | - Landon Coldiron
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain
Management, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,
USA
| | - Ashutosh Udipi
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain
Management, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,
USA
| | - Linsey Nohrn
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain
Management, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,
USA
| | - Jacob Tausiani
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain
Management, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,
USA
| | - Bryan T Romito
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain
Management, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,
USA
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Braillon A. Electrocardiographic screening in athletes: Another French exception? Presse Med 2021; 50:104054. [PMID: 33711723 DOI: 10.1016/j.lpm.2020.104054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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Vourc’h M, Garret C, Gacouin A, Lacherade JC, Jonas M, Klouche K, Ferrandiere M, Jaber S, Flet L, Dailly E, Pouplet C, Maamar A, Reignier J, Roquilly A, Feuillet F, Mahe PJ, Asehnoune K. Effect of High-Dose Baclofen on Agitation-Related Events Among Patients With Unhealthy Alcohol Use Receiving Mechanical Ventilation: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 2021; 325:732-741. [PMID: 33620407 PMCID: PMC7903253 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2021.0658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Unhealthy alcohol use can lead to agitation in the intensive care unit (ICU). OBJECTIVE To assess whether high-dose baclofen reduces agitation-related events compared with placebo in patients with unhealthy alcohol use receiving mechanical ventilation. DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS This phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial conducted in 18 ICUs in France recruited adults receiving mechanical ventilation who met criteria for unhealthy alcohol use. Patients were enrolled from June 2016 to February 2018; the last follow-up was in May 2019. INTERVENTIONS Baclofen (n = 159), adjusted from 50 to 150 mg per day based on estimated glomerular filtration rate, or placebo (n = 155) during mechanical ventilation up to a maximum of 15 days before gradual dose reduction over 3 to 6 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary end point was the percentage of patients with at least 1 agitation-related event over the treatment period. Secondary outcomes included duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, and 28-day mortality. RESULTS Among 314 patients who were randomized (mean age, 57 years; 60 [17.2%] women), 313 (99.7%) completed the trial. There was a statistically significant decrease in the percentage of patients who experienced at least 1 agitation-related event in the baclofen group vs the placebo group (31 [19.7%] vs 46 [29.7%]; difference, -9.93% [95% CI, -19.45% to -0.42%]; adjusted odds ratio, 0.59 [95% CI, 0.35-0.99]). Of 18 prespecified secondary end points, 14 were not significantly different. Compared with the placebo group, the baclofen group had a significantly longer median length of mechanical ventilation (9 vs 8 days; difference, 2.00 [95% CI, 0.00-3.00]; hazard ratio [HR] for extubation, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.60-0.97]) and stay in the ICU (14 vs 11 days; difference, 2.00 [95% CI, 0.00-4.00]; HR for discharge, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.54-0.90]). At 28 days, there was no significant difference in mortality in the baclofen vs placebo group (25.3% vs 21.6%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.24 [95% CI, 0.72-2.13]). Delayed awakening (no eye opening at 72 hours after cessation of sedatives and analgesics) occurred in 14 patients (8.9%) in the baclofen group vs 3 (1.9%) in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among patients with unhealthy alcohol use receiving mechanical ventilation, treatment with high-dose baclofen, compared with placebo, resulted in a statistically significant reduction in agitation-related events. However, considering the modest effect and the totality of findings for the secondary end points and adverse events, further research is needed to determine the possible role of baclofen in this setting and to potentially optimize dosing. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02723383.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mickael Vourc’h
- Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Nantes, Service d’Anesthésie Réanimation Chirurgicale, France
| | - Charlotte Garret
- Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Nantes, Service de Médecine Intensive Réanimation, France
| | - Arnaud Gacouin
- Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Rennes, Service de Médecine Intensive Réanimation, France
| | - Jean-Claude Lacherade
- Centre Hospitalier Départemental Vendée, Service de Médecine Intensive Réanimation, La Roche-Sur-Yon, France
| | - Maud Jonas
- Centre Hospitalier Général de Saint-Nazaire, Service de Médecine Intensive Réanimation, France
| | - Kada Klouche
- Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Montpellier, Service de Médecine-Intensive Réanimation, France
| | - Martine Ferrandiere
- Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Tours, Service d’Anesthésie-Réanimation, France
| | - Samir Jaber
- Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Montpellier, Service d’Anesthésie-Réanimation, France
| | - Laurent Flet
- Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Nantes, Service Pharmacie, France
| | - Eric Dailly
- Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Nantes, Service de Pharmacologie Clinique, France
| | - Caroline Pouplet
- Centre Hospitalier Départemental Vendée, Service de Médecine Intensive Réanimation, La Roche-Sur-Yon, France
| | - Adel Maamar
- Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Rennes, Service de Médecine Intensive Réanimation, France
| | - Jean Reignier
- Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Nantes, Service de Médecine Intensive Réanimation, France
| | - Antoine Roquilly
- Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Nantes, Service d’Anesthésie Réanimation Chirurgicale, France
| | - Fanny Feuillet
- Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Nantes, Plateforme de Méthodologie et Biostatistique, France
- Université de Nantes, INSERM, SPHERE U1246, France
| | - Pierre-Joachim Mahe
- Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Nantes, Service d’Anesthésie Réanimation Chirurgicale, France
| | - Karim Asehnoune
- Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Nantes, Service d’Anesthésie Réanimation Chirurgicale, France
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Braillon A, Naudet F, Cristea IA, Lexchin J. Baclofen and Alcohol Use Disorders: Breakthrough or Great White Elephant? Alcohol Alcohol 2020; 55:49-50. [PMID: 31761929 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agz083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alain Braillon
- Alcohol Treatment Unit, University Hospital, 80000 Amiens, France
| | - Florian Naudet
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique, University Hospital and Inserm, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Ioana A Cristea
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Joel Lexchin
- School of Health Policy and Management, York University, Toronto, Canada
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Naudet F, Braillon A, Cristea IA, Lexchin J. Restoring the Bacloville trial: efficacy and harms. Addiction 2020; 115:2184-2186. [PMID: 32364248 DOI: 10.1111/add.15109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Florian Naudet
- University of Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, CIC 1414 [(Centre d'Investigation Clinique de Rennes)], F- 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Alain Braillon
- Alcohol treatment unit, University Hospital, Amiens, France
| | - Ioana A Cristea
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Joel Lexchin
- School of Health Policy and Management, York University, Toronto, Canada
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Coste J, Bizouarn P, Leplège A. [The troubled epistemology of the first wave of research on Covid-19]. Rev Epidemiol Sante Publique 2020; 68:269-271. [PMID: 32948361 PMCID: PMC7486037 DOI: 10.1016/j.respe.2020.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- J Coste
- SAPRAT EA 4116, école pratique des hautes études, université PSL et université de Paris, 75014 Paris, France.
| | - P Bizouarn
- Service d'anesthésie-réanimation, hôpital Laennec, CHU, Nantes, et laboratoire SPHERE, université Paris Diderot-CNRS, UMR 7219, 75007 Paris, France
| | - A Leplège
- Département d'histoire et de philosophie des sciences, IHSS, université de Paris, 75013 Paris, France
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Sehrawat TS, Liu M, Shah VH. The knowns and unknowns of treatment for alcoholic hepatitis. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 5:494-506. [PMID: 32277902 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(19)30326-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Alcoholic hepatitis is an acute, inflammatory liver disease associated with high morbidity and mortality both in the short term and long term. Alcoholic hepatitis often arises in patients with a background of chronic liver disease and it is characterised by the rapid onset of jaundice and the development of myriad complications. Medical therapy for severe alcoholic hepatitis relies on corticosteroids, which have modest effectiveness. Abstinence from alcohol is critically important in patients with alcoholic hepatitis, but recidivism is high. Because of the absence of effective medical treatments for alcoholic hepatitis and alcohol dependency, there is a pressing need to develop new and effective therapeutics. Supported by promising preliminary and preclinical studies, many ongoing clinical trials of new therapies for alcoholic hepatitis are currently underway and are discussed further in this Series paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tejasav S Sehrawat
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Mengfei Liu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Vijay H Shah
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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The evidence base for psychotropic drugs approved by the European Medicines Agency: a meta-assessment of all European Public Assessment Reports. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci 2020; 29:e120. [PMID: 32336312 PMCID: PMC7214735 DOI: 10.1017/s2045796020000359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS To systematically assess the level of evidence for psychotropic drugs approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). METHODS Cross-sectional analysis of all European Public Assessment Reports (EPARs) and meta-analyses of the many studies reported in these EPARs. Eligible EPARs were identified from the EMA's website and individual study reports were requested from the Agency when necessary. All marketing authorisation applications (defined by the drug, the route of administration and given indications) for psychotropic medications for adults (including drugs used in psychiatry and addictology) were considered. EPARs solely based on bioequivalence studies were excluded. Our primary outcome measure was the presence of robust evidence of comparative effectiveness, defined as at least two 'positive' superiority studies against an active comparator. Various other features of the approvals were assessed, such as evidence of non-inferiority v. active comparator and superiority v. placebo. For studies with available data, effect sizes were computed and pooled using a random effect meta-analysis for each dose of each drug in each indication. RESULTS Twenty-seven marketing authorisations were identified. For one, comparative effectiveness was explicitly considered as not needed in the EPAR. Of those remaining, 21/26 (81%) did not provide any evidence of superiority against an active comparator, 2/26 (8%) were based on at least two trials showing superiority against active comparator and three (11%) were based on one positive trial; 1/26 provided evidence for two positive non-inferiority analyses v. active comparator and seven (26%) provided evidence for one. In total, 20/27 (74%) evaluations reported evidence of superiority v. placebo with two or more trials. Among the meta-analyses of initiation studies against active comparator (57 available comparisons), the median effect size was 0.051 (range -0.503; 0.318). Twenty approved evaluations (74%) reported evidence of superiority v. placebo on the basis of two or more initiation trials and seven based on a single trial. Among meta-analyses of initiation studies against placebo (125 available comparisons), the median effect size was -0.283 (range -0.820; 0.091). Importantly, among the 89 study reports requested on the EMA website, only 19 were made available 1 year after our requests. CONCLUSIONS The evidence for psychiatric drug approved by the EMA was in general poor. Small to modest effects v. placebo were considered sufficient in indications where an earlier drug exists. Data retrieval was incomplete after 1 year despite EMA's commitment to transparency. Improvements are needed.
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Braillon A, Lexchin J. Innovation and off-label use, the French case and more. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2019; 85:2446-2447. [PMID: 31161633 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.13993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Joel Lexchin
- School of Health Policy and Management, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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15
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Braillon A, Naudet F. Letter to the Editor: No Baclofen for Alcohol Use Disorders Even More When Liver Disease Is Serious! Hepatology 2019; 69:2713. [PMID: 30779442 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alain Braillon
- Alcohol Treatment Unit, University Hospital, Amiens, France
| | - Florian Naudet
- Université de Rennes, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, Inserm, Centre d'Investigation Clinique, Rennes, France
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