Dutasteride as a Treatment to Support Reduced Drinking: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Jonathan Covault, Howard Tennen, Richard Feinn
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In 30 seconds
This randomized, placebo-controlled trial assessed the tolerability and drinking outcomes of dutasteride in 167 men and women who were heavy drinkers seeking to stop or reduce drinking to nonhazardous levels. Participants received dutasteride 1 mg daily or placebo for 12 weeks. In the final month, heavy drinking days fell by 40% with dutasteride versus 23% with placebo (P = 0.041), and drinks per week fell by 32% versus 16% (P = 0.016). The medication effect was significant among men but not women; dutasteride was reported as well tolerated.
Key findings
- In the final treatment month, heavy drinking days decreased by 40% with dutasteride versus 23% with placebo (P = 0.041, Cohen's d = 0.48).
- Drinks per week decreased by 32% with dutasteride versus 16% with placebo (P = 0.016, Cohen's d = 0.42).
- A significant medication effect was evident in men, but not women, where a large placebo response was observed.
- Dutasteride was well tolerated during the 12-week trial.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that inhibiting 5-alpha reductase may help reduce drinking in treatment-seeking men, with measurable differences in both heavy drinking days and weekly consumption. The sex-stratified results are important when interpreting the overall trial findings: benefit was not demonstrated in women in this study, and the authors’ conclusion is specifically focused on men.
What to keep in mind
The trial lasted 12 weeks, and the reported medication effect was significant in men but not women; the abstract attributes the latter result to a large placebo response.