Conditions: Alcohol Dependence Alcoholism Alcohol Abuse Alcohol Use Disorder PTSD Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Keywords: topiramate PTSD drinking alcohol
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: PARALLEL
Enrollment: 4
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
Alcohol abuse and dependence (alcohol use disorders, AUDs) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are both prevalent in Veterans. Treating AUDs in Veterans with PTSD may be more difficult than treating AUDs in the general population. The FDA-approved medication topiramate has been shown to improve drinking outcomes in people with AUDs. Topiramate has also improved symptoms in people with PTSD. This study is designed to investigate whether topiramate will improve drinking outcomes in Veterans with PTSD.

Detailed description:

Arms:
arm 1: Topiramate arm will be titrated (dose will increase slowly) over 6 weeks to 400mg or highest tolerated dose. arm 2: Placebo arm will receive matching capsules without topiramate.

Interventions: intervention 1: Topiramate intervention 2: Placebo
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Topiramate titrated over 6 weeks to 400mg or highest tolerated dose. intervention 2: Placebo capsules without topiramate

Protocol document: