CClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT00595556Updated Oct 15, 2010Results posted

Zonisamide vs. Placebo in the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence

A Phase 4 interventional study of zonisamide and Placebo in Alcoholism, Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Dependence, sponsored by UConn Health. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2010-10-15.

Sponsored by UConn Health · Phase 4, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
40
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 65 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This is a pilot study designed to examine the potential efficacy and tolerability of zonisamide compared to placebo for the treatment of alcohol dependence.

Read the detailed description

Zonisamide is an antiepileptic medication which has similar clinical and pharmacologic effects to topiramate, a medication that has demonstrated efficacy in a randomized clinical trial for treatment of alcoholism. Because zonisamide is potentially better tolerated and easier to titrate in the outpatient setting than topiramate, it may offer important clinical advantages in the treatment of alcoholism.

This is a small 12-week placebo-controlled pilot study examining tolerability and potential efficacy in anticipation of a larger, placebo-controlled trial of zonisamide for treatment of alcohol dependence. It is a randomized, double-blind trial of zonisamide vs. placebo at flexible dosages of 100-500mg/day in alcoholics receiving ambulatory psychosocial treatment. Participants will take part in six individual Cognitive-Behavioral based therapy sessions, which are focused on learning coping skills. Participants must endorse a goal of either cutting down their drinking to non-hazardous levels, or abstinence.

02

Conditions studied

  • Alcoholism
  • Alcohol Abuse
  • Alcohol Dependence

Browse trials for

Keywords

  • Zonisamide
  • Pharmacotherapy
  • Alcohol dependence
  • anticonvulsant
03

In context

Alcoholism

1,606 studies on the registry are indexed under Alcoholism; 329 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 40 is below the median of 87 across 1,371 interventional studies indexed under Alcoholism.

Browse Alcoholism studies →

Lead sponsor

UConn Health is the lead sponsor of 182 studies on the registry; 18 are open to participants now.

Of its 9 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 6 (67%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 65 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • age 18 to 65 years, inclusive
  • current Diagnostic \& Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th ed (DSM-IV) alcohol dependence (within the past month)
  • have 2 heavy drinking days per week during the period between screening and baseline (defined as >4 standard drinks per day for males, and >3 standard drinks per day for females)
  • able to read at the eighth grade or higher level and show no evidence of significant cognitive impairment
  • if a woman of child-bearing potential (i.e., who has not had a hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, tubal ligation or who is less than two years postmenopausal), must be non-lactating, practicing a reliable method of birth control including barrier method; and have a negative serum pregnancy test prior to initiation of treatment
  • be willing to provide signed, informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • have a current, clinically significant physical disease or abnormality (i.e., neurologic, renal, rheumatologic, gastrointestinal, hematologic, pulmonary, endocrine, cardiovascular, hepatic, or autoimmune disease that, in the context of the study would represent a risk to the subject, or significant laboratory abnormalities such as hepatic aminotransferase levels greater than 300% of the uper limit of normal or direct bilirubin levels 150% of the upper limit of normal) on the basis of medical history, physician examination, or routine laboratory evaluation. Serum creatinine level of > 1.2 mg/dl will also be exclusionary. Other specific exclusionary disorders include:

    • patients with a history of renal calculi
    • patients with a history of hypersensitivity to zonisamide or any sulfonamide, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, penicillin allergy, or history of any severe drug allergic reaction
    • patients with a significant history of systemic autoimmune disease such as lupus erythematosis, fibromyalgia, or rheumatoid arthritis
    • patients with a current blood dyscrasia or a history of such, with the exception of a remote history of iron deficient anemia
  • have a serious psychiatric illness (i.e., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe or psychotic major depression, panic disorder, or substantial suicide or violence risk) on the basis of history or psychiatric examination
  • current dependence on opioids or benzodiazepines or other sedatives will also be exclusionary
  • are considered by investigators to be clinically inappropriate for study participation
  • because individuals with a history of seizure disorder could potentially be at increased risk of experiencing a seizure due to their drinking, such individuals will also be excluded
  • have participated in another pharmacotherapy study in the past thirty days
05

Study design

Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Triple (Participant, Care provider, Investigator)
Enrollment
40 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    A

    Zonisamide

    Drug: zonisamide

  • Placebo comparator
    B

    placebo

    Drug: Placebo

Interventions

  • Drugzonisamide

    flexible dosages of 100-500mg/day

    Also known as: Zonegran

  • DrugPlacebo

    Placebo

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Number of Heavy Drinking Days (i.e., 5 or More Drinks Per Day for Men, and 4 or More Per Day for Women)Per Week, by Week

    This outcome measure represents the change in number of heavy drinking days (i.e., 5 or more drinks per day for men, and 4 or more per day for women)per week, from baseline to the end of week twelve. This was analyzed using weekly measurements over the 12 week study period (thirteen time points, 12 measurements)with a repeated measures analysis (SPSS linear mixed models), by interaction with time (week).

    Time frame: baseline to the end of 12 weeks in treatment

  2. Weekly Rate of Change in Abstinent Days

    This outcome measure analyzed the weekly rate of change in number of abstinent days over the twelve weeks of the study from baseline to the end of week twelve. This was analyzed using weekly measurements over the 12 week study period (thirteen time points, 12 measurements)with a repeated measures analysis (SPSS proc mixed), by interaction with time (week).

    Time frame: baseline to the end of 12 weeks in treatment

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Number of Drinks Per Week by Week

    This outcome measure represents the change in the total number of standard drinks per week (weekly data) from baseline to the end of week twelve. This was analyzed using weekly measurements from baseline to week 12 week of the study period (thirteen time points, 12 measurements)with a repeated measures analysis (SPSS linear mixed models), by interaction with time (week).

    Time frame: baseline to the end of 12 weeks in treatment

  2. Change in the Urge to Drink Alcohol as Measured by the Alcohol Urge Questionnaire (AUQ)

    This is the change in measured urge to drink alcohol as measured by the Alcohol Urge Questionnaire (AUQ), measured every 2 weeks from baseline until the last week of the study (over twelve weeks, 7 timepoint measurements of AUQ, 6 calculated changes). It is reported in terms of change per visit (every 2 weeks). AUQ measures a feeling state, and uses a 7 point (1-7)Likert scale for each of 8 items (questions). The lowest urge score is 8 (representing less urge to drink), and the highest would be tabulated as 56 (meaning more urge to drink). Repeated measures SPPS linear mixed models used.

    Time frame: baseline to the end of 12 weeks in treatment

  3. Change in Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT) Concentration

    This outcome measure looks at the change in blood levels of this enzyme assay from baseline, and then after 6 weeks (midpoint), and then at the endpoint (12 weeks). The analysis takes into account all three time points, and reports the average change between each of the three time points.

    Time frame: 12 weeks (from initiation to end of treatment)

07

Results

Posted Oct 15, 2010
Limitations and caveats
The small sample size and the short duration of treatment are limitations. High rates of retention in the treatment and adherence to the medication regimen are strengths. The concomitant psychotherapy may have caused a ceiling effect on medication.

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneZonisamide Medication TreatmentPlacebo
Started2020
Completed1719
Not completed31

Outcome measures

PrimaryChange in Number of Heavy Drinking Days (i.e., 5 or More Drinks Per Day for Men, and 4 or More Per Day for Women)Per Week, by Week

This outcome measure represents the change in number of heavy drinking days (i.e., 5 or more drinks per day for men, and 4 or more per day for women)per week, from baseline to the end of week twelve. This was analyzed using weekly measurements over the 12 week study period (thirteen time points, 12 measurements)with a repeated measures analysis (SPSS linear mixed models), by interaction with time (week).

Time frame:
baseline to the end of 12 weeks in treatment
Reported as:
Mean · Days/week
Change in Number of Heavy Drinking Days (i.e., 5 or More Drinks Per Day for Men, and 4 or More Per Day for Women)Per Week, by Week
Days/weekZonisamide Medication TreatmentPlacebo
Change in Number of Heavy Drinking Days (i.e., 5 or More Drinks Per Day for Men, and 4 or More Per Day for Women)Per Week, by Week-.30 ± .362-.20 ± .362
Statistical analysis
  • Zonisamide Medication Treatment vs Placebo · Mixed Models Analysis · p = .012
PrimaryWeekly Rate of Change in Abstinent Days

This outcome measure analyzed the weekly rate of change in number of abstinent days over the twelve weeks of the study from baseline to the end of week twelve. This was analyzed using weekly measurements over the 12 week study period (thirteen time points, 12 measurements)with a repeated measures analysis (SPSS proc mixed), by interaction with time (week).

Time frame:
baseline to the end of 12 weeks in treatment
Reported as:
Mean · days/week
Weekly Rate of Change in Abstinent Days
days/weekZonisamide Medication TreatmentPlacebo
Weekly Rate of Change in Abstinent Days0.17 ± .020.13 ± .02
Statistical analysis
  • Zonisamide Medication Treatment vs Placebo · Mixed Models Analysis · p = .94
SecondaryChange in Number of Drinks Per Week by Week

This outcome measure represents the change in the total number of standard drinks per week (weekly data) from baseline to the end of week twelve. This was analyzed using weekly measurements from baseline to week 12 week of the study period (thirteen time points, 12 measurements)with a repeated measures analysis (SPSS linear mixed models), by interaction with time (week).

Time frame:
baseline to the end of 12 weeks in treatment
Reported as:
Mean · drinks/week
Change in Number of Drinks Per Week by Week
drinks/weekZonisamide Medication TreatmentPlacebo
Change in Number of Drinks Per Week by Week-2.2 ± 20.5-1.4 ± 20.5
Statistical analysis
  • Zonisamide Medication Treatment vs Placebo · Mixed Models Analysis · p = .004
SecondaryChange in the Urge to Drink Alcohol as Measured by the Alcohol Urge Questionnaire (AUQ)

This is the change in measured urge to drink alcohol as measured by the Alcohol Urge Questionnaire (AUQ), measured every 2 weeks from baseline until the last week of the study (over twelve weeks, 7 timepoint measurements of AUQ, 6 calculated changes). It is reported in terms of change per visit (every 2 weeks). AUQ measures a feeling state, and uses a 7 point (1-7)Likert scale for each of 8 items (questions). The lowest urge score is 8 (representing less urge to drink), and the highest would be tabulated as 56 (meaning more urge to drink). Repeated measures SPPS linear mixed models used.

Time frame:
baseline to the end of 12 weeks in treatment
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale/visit
Change in the Urge to Drink Alcohol as Measured by the Alcohol Urge Questionnaire (AUQ)
units on a scale/visitZonisamide Medication TreatmentPlacebo
Change in the Urge to Drink Alcohol as Measured by the Alcohol Urge Questionnaire (AUQ)-1.4 ± 1-0.6 ± 1
Statistical analysis
  • Zonisamide Medication Treatment vs Placebo · Mixed Models Analysis · p = .006
SecondaryChange in Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT) Concentration

This outcome measure looks at the change in blood levels of this enzyme assay from baseline, and then after 6 weeks (midpoint), and then at the endpoint (12 weeks). The analysis takes into account all three time points, and reports the average change between each of the three time points.

Time frame:
12 weeks (from initiation to end of treatment)
Reported as:
Mean · Units/Liter
Change in Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT) Concentration
Units/LiterZonisamide Medication TreatmentPlacebo
Change in Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT) Concentration8.4 ± 36.22.9 ± 36.2
Statistical analysis
  • Zonisamide Medication Treatment vs Placebo · Mixed Models Analysis · p = .3

Adverse events

Collected over 14 weeks. Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Zonisamide Medication Treatment—0/20 (0%)16/20 (80%)
Placebo—0/20 (0%)16/20 (80%)
Most frequent other events
Most frequent other events
EventZonisamide Medication TreatmentPlacebo
GIGastrointestinal disorders13/204/20
NeurologicNervous system disorders8/205/20
PsychiatricPsychiatric disorders4/208/20
CognitiveNervous system disorders4/202/20
GenitourinaryReproductive system and breast disorders4/202/20
Fatigue/SomnolenceGeneral disorders4/201/20
MusculoskeletalMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders2/202/20

Baseline characteristics

Age, Categorical
Age, Categorical(Participants)Zonisamide Medication TreatmentPlaceboTotal
<=18 years000
Between 18 and 65 years202040
>=65 years000
Age Continuous
Age Continuous(years)Zonisamide Medication TreatmentPlaceboTotal
Mean47.8 ± 9.950.4 ± 1149.1 ± 10
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Zonisamide Medication TreatmentPlaceboTotal
Female8917
Male121123
Region of Enrollment
Region of Enrollment(participants)Zonisamide Medication TreatmentPlaceboTotal
United States202040
08

Study locations

1 site
  • University of Connecticut Health Center
    Farmington, Connecticut 06030, United States
09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Oct 15, 2010, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT00595556
Lead sponsor
UConn Health
Collaborators
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
First posted
Jan 16, 2008
Start date
Jul 2006
Primary completion
May 2009
Completion
May 2009
Results posted
Oct 15, 2010
Last update
Oct 15, 2010

Study contacts

Albert J. Arias, MD
principal investigator · UConn Health

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is completed, as verified in Sep 2010. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

Follow this study

Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.

Sign in to follow

Discussion

Questions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.

Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.

Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.

Start the discussion