Pharmacotherapy for marijuana dependence : a double-bind, placebo-controlled pilot study of Divalproex Sodium

FRANÇAIS :
Le divalporex de sodium, un anticonvulsivant utilisé en psychiatrie dans le traitement des troubles de l'humeur, est testé chez 25 usagers dépendants du cannabis (plus de 19 joints par semaine) et présentant des troubles de l'humeur induits par leur consommation de cannabis. La rétention en traitement est de l'ordre de 75%, mais la réduction de la consommation de cannabis très modeste, ne démontre pas l'efficacité du divalporex dans cette indication.
ENGLISH :
There is a noticeable lack of targeted treatment options for marijuana dependence, in particular pharmacologic approaches. This is the first study evaluating a targeted pharmacologic approach for marijuana dependence. The goals of the study were to determine if such patients would seek pharmacologic treatment, whether these patients could be retained in treatment using a design previously developed for cocaine-dependent patients, and especially whether divalproex sodium showed promise as a treatment agent for marijuana dependence. We found that marijuana-dependent patients will seek treatment, and such patients can be adequately maintained in a pharmacologic trial. Regardless of treatment group, patients reported a significant reduction in their frequency and amount of marijuana use as well as a reduction in irritability. Given the lack of proven effective treatments for marijuana dependence, pharmacotherapies should be sought. The design of a preliminary clinical trial should include a psychosocial/behavioral intervention emphasizing motivation and medication compliance and a placebo control group. (Review' s abstract)