NCT00004554

Who might be able to join this trial:

• You are a man or woman between 18 and 75 years old who is seen as an outpatient (not staying overnight in a hospital).
• You have been diagnosed with a major depressive episode (either on its own or related to alcohol use) based on standard medical criteria.
• You have been diagnosed with alcohol dependence.
• You score 10 or higher on a standard depression rating scale at the time you enter the trial, with a specific item on that scale also showing a certain level of depressive symptoms (confirm with trial site).
• In the month before seeking treatment, you drank alcohol on at least 40% of days, or had more than 40 standard drinks in that month (roughly 10 or more drinks per week on average).
• You have safely completed a medical alcohol detox programme and have not had any alcohol for at least 4 days in a row, OR if detox was not needed, you have still been alcohol-free for at least 4 consecutive days before starting the study medication.
• If you are a woman who could become pregnant, you must have a negative pregnancy test, not be planning to become pregnant in the next 6 months, and be using an effective form of contraception.

Who may not be able to join:

• You have used opiates (such as heroin or certain painkillers) in the past 30 days, or have previously had treatment for opiate dependence.
• In the past year, you have been dependent on any substance other than alcohol or nicotine, or you test positive for certain drugs (other than cannabis/THC) at your first visit.
• You have a current or past diagnosis of schizophrenia, any psychotic disorder, or bipolar disorder.
• You have a significant or unstable medical condition affecting your blood, lungs, hormones, heart, kidneys, or digestive system (if the condition has been stable for over a year and is judged unlikely to affect your participation, you may still be eligible — confirm with trial site).
• Your liver function blood test results are more than 3.5 times above the normal range, or your bilirubin levels are abnormally high.
• You currently need to take any psychiatric or mood-related medications (with a few limited exceptions such as a sleep aid or nicotine replacement therapy — confirm with trial site).
• You have taken the antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac) within the last 6 weeks.
• You have taken a type of antidepressant called an MAOI within the last 2 weeks.
• You have taken any other antidepressant or psychiatric medication within the last 7 days.
• You are currently taking part in another clinical drug trial, or have done so within the past month.
• You are unable to read or write in English.

Important: Always verify eligibility with the trial site directly before applying.