Effect of intranasal oxytocin on alcohol withdrawal syndrome: A randomized placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial.

Melby K, Gråwe RW, Aamo TO, Salvesen Ø, Spigset O

Drug and alcohol dependence13 Feb 2019Cited by 30 (Europe PMC)

PMID30784955DOI10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.01.003PepBankPUB-30784955

Publisher page PubMedAsk about this study

Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: CC BY-NC-ND. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study4

4 results from studies that gave the peptide. 4 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with alcohol dependence undergoing detoxification, intranasal oxytocin did not significantly reduce the total oxazepam dose versus placebo.
In plain wordsIn people detoxing from alcohol, oxytocin did not significantly reduce the oxazepam dose needed compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeTotal oxazepam dose during three-day alcohol detoxification
Study
n = 40
Comparator
Placebo
Analysis
Primary
Outcome group
Addiction, withdrawal and alcohol intake · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
24 IU twice daily · intranasal · three daysAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Mean total oxazepam dose
56.8 mg
oxytocin
Mean total oxazepam dose
79 mg
placebo
Difference
−22.3 mg
oxytocin minus placebo
Source sentences
Summary
The mean total oxazepam dose (± standard deviation) was 56.8 ± 72.8 mg in the oxytocin group and 79.0 ± 122.9 in the placebo group (p = 0.490; difference -22.3 mg; 95% confidence interval (CI) -86.9 to +42.4 mg).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 40 patients fulfilling criteria for ICD-10 diagnosis of alcohol dependence (F10.2), admitted for alcohol detoxification and withdrawal treatment.
Summary · context
Participants were randomized to receive either intranasal oxytocin (24 IU twice daily) or placebo.
Report a problemFND-3078495501
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with alcohol dependence undergoing detoxification, the findings were inconclusive for a difference in CIWA-Ar score between oxytocin and placebo.
In plain wordsIn people detoxing from alcohol, the trial could not show a difference in withdrawal score between oxytocin and placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeCIWA-Ar withdrawal score
Study
n = 40
Comparator
Placebo
Analysis
Secondary
Outcome group
Addiction, withdrawal and alcohol intake · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
24 IU twice daily · intranasal · three daysAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
CIWA-Ar score
5.94 points
oxytocin
CIWA-Ar score
6.48 points
placebo
Source sentences
Summary
The findings were inconclusive as to whether a difference in the CIWA-Ar score (5.94 ± 3.86 vs. 6.48 ± 3.92; p = 0.665) or in any of the other secondary outcomes was present.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 40 patients fulfilling criteria for ICD-10 diagnosis of alcohol dependence (F10.2), admitted for alcohol detoxification and withdrawal treatment.
Summary · context
Participants were randomized to receive either intranasal oxytocin (24 IU twice daily) or placebo.
Report a problemFND-3078495502
03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with alcohol dependence undergoing detoxification, the findings were inconclusive as to whether intranasal oxytocin differed from placebo in the other secondary outcomes, including HSCL-10 score and self-reported hours of sleep.
In plain wordsIn people detoxing from alcohol, the trial could not show a difference between oxytocin and placebo in other symptoms or in hours of sleep.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeOther secondary outcomes (HSCL-10 score and self-reported hours of sleep)
Study
n = 40
Comparator
Placebo
Analysis
Secondary
Outcome group
Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
24 IU twice daily · intranasal · three daysAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
The findings were inconclusive as to whether a difference in the CIWA-Ar score (5.94 ± 3.86 vs. 6.48 ± 3.92; p = 0.665) or in any of the other secondary outcomes was present.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Scores of the CIWA-Ar, the 10-item Hopkins Symptom Check List (HSCL-10), and self-reported total number of hours of sleep.
Summary · context
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 40 patients fulfilling criteria for ICD-10 diagnosis of alcohol dependence (F10.2), admitted for alcohol detoxification and withdrawal treatment.
Report a problemFND-3078495504
04HumanRandomized controlled trialSafety outcome
In patients with alcohol dependence undergoing detoxification, no serious adverse events were reported.
In plain wordsIn people detoxing from alcohol, no serious side effects were reported in the trial.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeSerious adverse events
Study
n = 40
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Adverse events · Whole body
Studied dose
24 IU twice daily · intranasal · three daysAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
No serious adverse events were reported.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 40 patients fulfilling criteria for ICD-10 diagnosis of alcohol dependence (F10.2), admitted for alcohol detoxification and withdrawal treatment.
Summary · context
Participants were randomized to receive either intranasal oxytocin (24 IU twice daily) or placebo.
Report a problemFND-3078495503

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Registered trials1

Trials this study reports on, or that list this study as a reference. Registry data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

1 trial · 1 completed · source ClinicalTrials.gov (opens in a new tab)

CompletedPhase 3NCT02903251

Oxytocin and Alcohol Withdrawal and Dependence

Norwegian University of Science and Technologyn = 40Oct 2016 to 22 Jan 2018

Alcoholism · Substance-Related Disorders

Trial page ClinicalTrials.govUpdated 26 Feb 2019

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 01:30 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 02:49 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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