New Drug Curbs Pot Dependence

Описание: http://www.dailyrxnews.com/topiramate...

For patients struggling with marijuana dependence, a new treatment option could be on the horizon.

A new study from Brown University found that, when used in combination with addiction counseling, the epilepsy drug topiramate (brand name Topamax) curbed marijuana use among young smokers significantly more than counseling alone. However, many of the study patients couldn't tolerate the medication's side effects.

"The positive news is it did seem to have some effect, and that effect seemed to really be focused on helping people reduce how much they smoke," said lead study author Robert Miranda, PhD, a professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown, in a press release. "It's promising in the sense that it suggests that medications can help, but it asks questions about for whom it might be most effective because many people can't tolerate the medication."

There is currently no FDA-approved medication for marijuana dependence or misuse. And the benefits of counseling, according to Dr. Miranda and colleagues, aren't always enough to help patients.