We present a randomized double-blind study on the efficacy of
caroverine in the treatment of alcohol
withdrawal symptoms. The group B Ca2+ channel blocking agent
caroverine was tested against
meprobamate in inpatient treatment of alcohol withdrawal. Patients of both groups were similar in age, weight, duration of drinking, ingested quantities of alcohol and intensity of
withdrawal symptoms in both groups. The symptoms were quantified daily by Syndromkurztest (SKT), Nurses' Observation Scale for Inpatient Evaluation (NOSIE), NGI; the Webster scale was applied to rate
tremor, speech and coping. Duration of study was scheduled for 5 days after which other medication, e.g.,
levopromazine was applied if needed. As
caroverine is registered and used as a
spasmolytic drug in Austria, patients' verbal consent was sufficient. In both compounds we registered no difference of clinical efficacy, though
caroverine presented less
sedative side effects. This may be an important factor in the treatment and management of alcohol
withdrawal symptoms. Dose ranges were 120 mg/day vs. 2,400 mg/day of
caroverine and
meprobamate, respectively. Thus,
drug loading and metabolism can be thoroughly reduced by the application of
caroverine--another important point in treatment of
alcoholism. In 4 cases of manifest
delirium tremens the infusional application of
caroverine was openly tested with dose ranges of 2.5-5.0 mg/kg (24 h). Clinical effects were estimated to be similar with oral application as was therapeutic efficacy. This novel indication of a group-B Ca2+ channel blocker presents an interesting feature, which seems to warrant further investigation.