Document Detail


Current and Promising Pharmacotherapies, and Novel Research Target Areas in the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence: A Review.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21524263     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Harmful alcohol use is a risk factor in more than 60 diseases and injuries resulting in approximately 2.5 million deaths per year worldwide. In the United States (US) and Europe, there are only a few medications approved for alcohol dependence (AD) however, these medications have only been moderately effective and there is a crucial need for more effective treatments. This review briefly summarizes research on currently approved medications for AD, as well as promising medications like topiramate, baclofen and ondansetron. Topiramate is likely the most promising new treatment for AD, however, further research is needed to determine the optimal dose and appropriate length of treatment. Baclofen, a GABA(B) agonist, is a promising medication as a treatment for AD, especially for patients with AD and severe liver disease. Ondansetron has shown promising results as a potential medication for AD, but only within a certain subtype of individuals. This review also discusses more recent findings on other potential pharmacotherapies for AD, such as serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; i.e. sertraline), aripiprazole and prazosin, as well as on some examples of other potentially interesting new neuropharmacological targets (i.e. cannabinoid receptors, CRF, NPY, ghrelin). Finally, the present review also discusses the attempts to personalize medication for AD treatment by alcohol typology and pharmacogenetics.
Authors:
Steven Edwards; George A Kenna; Robert M Swift; Lorenzo Leggio
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Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2011-4-28
Journal Detail:
Title:  Current pharmaceutical design     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1873-4286     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2011 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-4-28     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9602487     Medline TA:  Curr Pharm Des     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Affiliation:
Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies Brown University Medical School Box G S 121-4; Providence, RI 02912, USA. Lorenzo_Leggio@brown.edu.
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