Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Medications for treating alcohol dependence.

Steven H Williams1

  • 1Psychology Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Lebanon, Pennsylvania 17042, USA.

American Family Physician
|November 23, 2005
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

How to Embrace Antiracism as a US Plastic Surgeon: Definitions, Principles, and Practice.

Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open·2020
Same author

Breast necrosis following left internal mammary artery harvest: a case series and a comprehensive review of the literature.

Annals of plastic surgery·2008
Same author

Risperidone improves behavior in children with autism.

The Journal of family practice·2002
Same journal

For Post-stent Patients With Atherosclerotic Coronary Vascular Disease Who Are Taking an Anticoagulant, Adding Aspirin Worsens Outcomes.

American family physician·2026
Same journal

Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy.

American family physician·2026
Same journal

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: Diagnosis and Management.

American family physician·2026
Same journal

Aerobic Exercise Is the Better Exercise Modality for Knee Osteoarthritis.

American family physician·2026
Same journal

Overscreening Leads to Overdiagnosis of MASLD.

American family physician·2026
Same journal

Type 2 Diabetes: Outpatient Insulin Management.

American family physician·2026
See all related articles

Naltrexone and acamprosate effectively increase abstinence rates and reduce relapse in alcohol dependence treatment. Emerging evidence suggests other agents like topiramate and serotonergic drugs may also aid in managing alcohol use disorder.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Neuroscience
  • Addiction Medicine

Background:

  • Current FDA-approved medications for alcohol dependence include disulfiram, naltrexone, and acamprosate.
  • Disulfiram has limitations due to adverse effects and unclear efficacy in improving abstinence or reducing cravings.
  • Naltrexone and acamprosate have demonstrated efficacy in reducing relapse and increasing abstinence rates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the efficacy of approved and potential pharmacotherapies for alcohol dependence.
  • To compare the effectiveness of disulfiram, naltrexone, and acamprosate.
  • To explore the role of emerging agents like topiramate and serotonergic drugs in alcohol dependence treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on medications for alcohol dependence.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analysis of clinical trial data for disulfiram, naltrexone, and acamprosate.
  • Examination of recent studies on off-label medications such as topiramate and serotonergic agents.

    • Main Results:

    • Naltrexone and acamprosate are effective in reducing relapse rates and increasing abstinence rates.
    • Disulfiram shows significant adverse effects and lacks clear evidence for improving abstinence or reducing cravings.
    • Preliminary studies indicate that topiramate and certain serotonergic agents may increase abstinence and decrease drinking.

    Conclusions:

    • Naltrexone and acamprosate are valuable treatments for alcohol dependence, improving abstinence and reducing relapse.
    • Further research is warranted for the broader application of topiramate and serotonergic agents in alcohol dependence management.
    • Pharmacological interventions continue to evolve, offering improved strategies for treating alcohol use disorder.