Pharmacological treatment of alcohol use disorder. Scientific evidence

Riv Psichiatr. 2018 May-Jun;53(3):123-127. doi: 10.1708/2925.29414.

Abstract

Pharmacological treatment of alcohol use disorder represents an essential core of the therapeutic project in a multidisciplinary approach. While non-drug treatment is evolving, from a medical perspective few pharmacotherapies are available; in particular acamprosate, naltrexone and more recently nalmefene among anticraving drugs, disulfiram as an antidipsotropic medication. New studies are focusing on off-label drugs. Moreover, scientific evidence has to support any therapeutic indication which should be tailored on patient needs and comorbidity by considering the individual bio-psycho-social profile. Follow-up is essential in order to assess patient compliance to treatment and monitoring outcomes.

MeSH terms

  • Acamprosate / therapeutic use
  • Alcohol Deterrents / therapeutic use*
  • Alcoholism / drug therapy*
  • Baclofen / therapeutic use
  • Disulfiram / therapeutic use
  • Drug Evaluation
  • Humans
  • Naltrexone / analogs & derivatives
  • Naltrexone / therapeutic use
  • Off-Label Use
  • Olanzapine / therapeutic use
  • Ondansetron / therapeutic use
  • Sertraline / therapeutic use
  • Sodium Oxybate / therapeutic use
  • Topiramate / therapeutic use
  • Varenicline / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Alcohol Deterrents
  • Topiramate
  • Ondansetron
  • Naltrexone
  • Sodium Oxybate
  • Baclofen
  • Acamprosate
  • Olanzapine
  • Sertraline
  • nalmefene
  • Disulfiram
  • Varenicline