Effects of daily treatment with citicoline: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in cocaine-dependent volunteers.

UNLABELLED Many pharmacotherapies for treating cocaine dependence are aimed at reducing drug effects, alleviating craving, and preventing relapse. We demonstrated previously that citicoline, a compound used to repair neuronal damage in stroke and brain injury, is safe in cocaine-abusing volunteers. OBJECTIVES This study assessed the effectiveness of an 8-week citicoline treatment period and 4-week follow-up in cocaine-dependent individuals. METHODS Twenty-nine healthy nontreatment-seeking, cocaine-dependent male and female volunteers were randomized in this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 18 of whom completed the treatment period of the study. Participants took citicoline (500 mg twice daily) or matched placebo each day and recorded the measures of craving and drug use. Participants visited the laboratory twice a week for urine screens and to attend weekly group therapy sessions. RESULTS Citicoline had no effect on cocaine craving or total use. CONCLUSIONS Although the current preliminary results from this small trial suggest that citicoline is not an effective treatment for heavy cocaine users, further investigation on efficacy citicoline as a treatment for substance dependence in other settings may be warranted.