Levetiracetam for the Treatment of Co-Occurring Alcohol Dependence and Anxiety: Case Series and Review

Abstract

Objectives: Alcohol dependence is frequently associated with anxiety disorders. The exact nature of the relationship between alcohol dependence and anxiety disorders is unknown, but emerging evidence suggests that in a majority of cases, the anxiety disorder is independent of the alcohol use disorder. There is pre-clinical and clinical evidence that levetiracetam, a newer generation anticonvulsant medication, may be efficacious in the treatment of co-occurring alcohol use and anxiety disorders. Methods: In an open label clinical trial, three patients with alcohol dependence and a co-morbid anxiety disorder were treated with levetiracetam in doses up to 1500 mg twice daily for up to 8 weeks. Results: All three participants reported reductions in alcohol consumption and anxiety symptoms during the study period. Levetiracetam was generally well tolerated. Conclusion: This study suggests that levetiracetam deserves further study in the treatment of alcohol dependence and co-occurring anxiety disorders.