Agomelatine reduces craving in benzodiazepine addicts: a follow-up examination of three patients

Muller H, Seifert F, Maler JM, Kornhuber J, Sperling W
Correspondence: Dr Helge Müller, helge.mueller@uk-erlangen.de

ABSTRACT
The treatment of benzodiazepine withdrawal is difficult, and the search continues for substances that can reduce craving and the risk of relapse. Here, we report three cases of benzodiazepine addicts with histories of unsuccessful withdrawal attempts who experienced marked reductions in craving and improved relapse prognoses under add-on administration of agomelatine. These cases demonstrate a possible area of use for the antidepressant agomelatine in the treatment of benzodiazepine withdrawal and addiction. The extent to which this effect is due to the anti-craving effects of agomelatine, or its profile of receptor activation, should be further investigated in larger clinical and experimental studies.

Keywords: agomelatine, benzodiazepine withdrawal therapy, craving, MT1/MT2 receptors
Singapore Med J 2012; 53(11): e228–e230