Interdisciplinary Study of A Novel Anticonvulsant in Alcoholism

Inclusion Criteria

• DSM-5 diagnosis of an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
• Adults ages 21 to 65 years old
• Expressed desire to stop drinking alcohol completely or to reduce alcohol consumption
• Reported drinking an average of at least 14 standard drinks per week for males, or 7 for females occurring over a 28-consecutive day period during the 90 day-long time window that preceded the screening session
• Must be willing to discontinue psychotherapy for substance use disorder (except A.A.)

Exclusion Criteria

• Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, current bulimia/anorexia, dementia, or other substance use disorder, with the exception of nicotine, marijuana, and caffeine
• Clear and current suicidal risk
• Significant medical problem (e.g. uncontrolled diabetes)
• Medical contraindication to the use of ZON (e.g. history of significant renal disease, kidney stones, liver problems, metabolic acidosis, etc), as indicated by the FDA Zonisamide medication guide
• History of anticonvulsant-induced rash
• Currently taking:
• acamprosate, naltrexone, topiramate, disulfiram, or benzodiazepines
• a medication that is a moderate or major inhibitor or inducer of cytochrome P450 3A4 enzymes
• an amphetamine or other psychomotor stimulant
• opioids or have been treated chronically with opioids
• antipsychotic agents, anticonvulsants, or sedative hypnotics
• drugs with "sulfa" moiety (e.g. sulfonamides, sulfonylureas, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, thiazides, and loop diuretics), except ethacrynic acid
• anxiolytics or antidepressants
• Previously received ZON for the treatment of an AUD
• Known allergy to sulfonamides
• Implantation of anything containing magnetically sensitive material including metal plates, aneurysm clips, and cardiac pacemakers, stents
• Non-English speakers
• Pregnant women or women who are lactating (breastfeeding)

Exclusion from Screening:

• Reduction in the mean number of drinks consumed per week for the pre-screening period by 50% or more during the screening period or report of average drinks per day fall within safe levels of alcohol consumption (i.e. 2 drinks/day for males and 1 drink/day for females by the HHS standard) two weeks prior to screening
• Women of child bearing potential (not postmenopausal for at least one year) will not be admitted into this study unless they are found to have a negative HCG test during screening. If they pass the HCG screening, they will be asked to maintain the use of an effective means of contraception during the course of the study
• Blood test shows lower than average red or white blood cell count or higher than average level of acid in blood