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Topamax for Alcoholism

Reviewed By: Louise Chang,

SOURCES: 2008 Medical Reference from Medstar Television. Bankole Johnson, D. Sc., MD, PhD, Psychiatrist/Pharmacologist, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA.

© 1999-2011 Medstar Television

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Narrator:

Christine Flemming is a survivor, overcoming anorexia and bulimia and, more recently, a drinking problem.

Christine Flemming:

I used alcohol as a crutch with my eating disorder. I actually drank instead of eating.

Narrator:

Typically, she'd crack open her first beer around 11 o'clock in the morning.

Christine Flemming:

When my husband actually said to me, you know, I'm coming home and you're already on your sixth, seventh beer and I'm coming home at 1:30, 2:00 in the afternoon. And there was a problem. I knew there was a problem then.

Narrator:

Determined to back off the booze, the mother of three took part in a study on topiramate The drug, marketed as topamax is approved for epilepsy and migraines. Now research suggests it can also treat alcohol addiction. Doctor Bankole Johnson led the study on the drug.

Bankole Johnson, D. Sc.,M.D., Ph.D.:

The first thing that it did was it reduced the drive to drink. And that resulted in people drinking less heavily. The second thing that it did was it prolonged the period of abstinence people were encountering during treatment.

Narrator:

Topiramate works in the brain to suppress the pleasure of drinking. Christine noticed a difference within weeks.

Christine Flemming:

The cravings weren't there. I didn't feel like I had to drink.

Narrator:

What's more, the drug also improved some of the 'physical' fallout from too much alcohol.

Bankole Johnson, D. Sc., M.D., Ph.D.:

Mainly reducing the liver enzymes and also reducing blood pressure and decreasing cholesterol.

Narrator:

Doctor Johnson says the findings could reduce the stigma of alcoholism and make treatment more private.

Bankole Johnson, D. Sc., M.D., Ph.D.:

I think that one of the cornerstones of what we've done is to demonstrate that the treatment for alcoholism can be like a treatment for blood pressure or like the treatment of diabetes, which is uncomplicated. You should be able to go to your doctor, tell them about your drinking, have a pill that will help you, with some psychological support, and be followed up by your doctor.

Narrator:

An important breakthrough that could help those who want to help themselves. For WebMD, I'm Damon Meharg.

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