Enhancing the Effects of Alcohol Treatment With Lamotrigine

Inclusion Criteria:

• 16 to 24 years old, inclusive

• Self-reports consuming alcohol ≥ 2 days/week on average in the past 90 days of which ≥ 5 days involved ≥ 4 drinks within a 2-hr period (i.e., binge drinking) for boysand ≥ 3 drinks for girls

• Meet the DSM-5 criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD)

• Be interested in reducing alcohol use

• Be able to read simple English

• Females taking estrogen-containing oral contraceptives have to agree to usesecondary methods of birth control, such as condoms because lamotrigine lowers theeffectiveness of estrogen-containing oral contraceptives. Sexually active femalescannot be in this study if they do not agree to use a barrier method of birthcontrol (condom) every time they engage in sexual intercourse.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Currently receiving formal AUD treatment

• Significant alcohol withdrawal symptoms

• Coexisting moderate or severe substance use disorder other than cannabis andnicotine, as defined by DSM-5 criteria.

• Positive urine toxicology screen any substances other than cannabis (THC)

• Currently taking a pharmacotherapy for AUD, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, or aglucuronidation

• Compelled to alcohol treatment by the justice system or has probation or parolerequirements that might interfere with study participation

• History of rash that was serious, required hospitalization, or related tolamotrigine

• Have a history of any serious, unstable medical illness including seizures orhepatic, renal, gastroenterologic, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrinologic,neurologic, immunologic, or hematologic disease

• Clinically significant abnormal liver function tests, including elevation of liverenzymes (AST, ALT) 3-fold above the upper limit of normal.

• Abnormal BUN and creatinine for renal impairment

• Renal or hepatic impairment

• Clinically significant abnormalities per physical exam, hematological assessment,bilirubin concentration, or urinalysis

• Pregnant, nursing, or refusing to use a condom, if female.

• Used psychotropic or anticonvulsant medication (prescribed by a health careprofessional) in the past 30 days (e.g., topiramate)

• Taking medications contraindicated with lamotrigine (e.g., valproate acid [Depakote], carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, and rifampin,protease inhibitors lopinavir/ritonavir and atazanavir/lopinavi

• History of prior treatment with lamotrigine

• Known sensitivity or allergy to lamotrigine

• A previous history of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)or blood dyscrasias

• A history of Steven-Johnson syndrome or any presentation of symptoms suggestive ofSteven-Johnson syndrome.

• Current or lifetime history of psychosis or suicidality