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Alcohol and Alcoholism Vol. 35, No. 4, pp. 319-323, 2000
© 2000 Medical Council on Alcoholism

Review

A ROLE FOR VALPROATE IN THE TREATMENT OF SEDATIVE–HYPNOTIC WITHDRAWAL AND FOR RELAPSE PREVENTION

John T. Harris, John D. Roache and Joseph E. Thornton

Department of Psychiatry, Division of Alcohol and Drug Addiction, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78284-7953, USA

Received 11 November 1999; first review notified 7 February 2000; accepted 22 February 2000

ABSTRACT

In the human central nervous system, the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptor complex undergoes changes with both acute and chronic exposure to sedative–hypnotic drugs. These changes contribute to both the acute effects of these drugs as well as the chronic effects of sedative–hypnotic dependence, withdrawal, and drug craving. Clinically these chronic effects are difficult to treat in patients dependent on ethanol or benzodiazepines. Valproate may return the GABA type A receptor function to a state more closely resembling its normal function. By this mechanism, it is possible to reduce the symptoms of sedative–hypnotic withdrawal and relapse.


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