A recent clinical trial conducted by UCLA has revealed that the drug ibudilast, previously considered a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder, did not perform better than a placebo in reducing alcohol consumption among most participants. However, the study noted a positive effect on women.
Ibudilast is currently approved in Japan for treating asthma and post-stroke dizziness due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Earlier research suggested it could help reduce drinking. Despite these hopes, findings published in JAMA Network Open indicate that the drug was no more effective than a placebo, except among female participants.
“While ibudilast was not superior to the placebo, we saw that some individuals did better and some did worse with the drug,” stated Lara Ray, UCLA psychology professor and first author of the study. “Female study participants did better, but both men and women who came in with higher levels of depression did worse.”
The research involved 102 adults seeking treatment for moderate or severe alcohol use disorder. Participants were given either ibudilast or a placebo twice daily over 12 weeks. The researchers monitored various metrics such as heavy drinking days and depressive symptoms.
“What we found is that there were general reductions in drinking across both the ibudilast and the placebo groups,” said Ray.
Participants initially averaged seven drinks per drinking day but reduced this to three to four drinks by the end of treatment. This reduction was observed in both groups, indicating no clear advantage of ibudilast over the placebo.
Ray explained one challenge: “All participants usually improve their drinking across the board… So it can be hard to tease apart the placebo effect from the medication.”
Women taking ibudilast consumed fewer drinks per day than those on a placebo. This finding suggests further studies on ibudilast’s efficacy for women are warranted. Conversely, those with higher depressive symptoms had more abstinent days while on a placebo.
“Our lab is uncovering novel treatments for substance use disorders,” said Ray. She emphasized ongoing analyses will help identify who benefits most from this medication.
The trial received funding from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, highlighting a need for continued federal support to develop effective treatments for alcohol use disorder affecting millions of Americans.
“People are coming to our lab because they trust UCLA,” Ray concluded. “They’re reporting on their drinking regularly, and that…is causing pretty significant changes in their behavior.”
