Efficacy Study of Memantine Hydrochloride and Escitalopram for the Treatment of Co-Morbid Depression and Alcoholism.

Context Depression is common clinical problem among alcoholics and its treatment has no standard and is controversy. Glutamate NMDA-receptors may mediate the effects of long term alcohol related depression and thus the NMDA-receptor modulator memantine could have effects on it. Objectives The preliminary aim of this study was to identify possible new treatment for depression of alcoholics and compare the efficacy of escitalopram and memantine in co-morbid depression of alcoholism. Design and setting Double-blind, randomized, naturalistic study, 26-week trial on alcohol dependent outpatients. Participants Eighty alcohol dependent depressive adults Intervention Subjects were randomized 1:1 to receive memantine or escitalopram 20 mg per day. During the study the patient received routine psychosocial treatment at A-Clinic. No concomitant intervention on alcohol consumption and no imposed treatment goals. The patients were met weekly in first month, then after 3 and 6 months.