Medications for alcohol use disorders: An overview

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Addiction Medicine

Background:

• Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) cause significant socio-behavioral and pathophysiological changes, impacting the brain and organs.
• Chronic excessive alcohol consumption leads to cell death, organ damage, and increased mortality.
• Alcohol abstinence is the most effective therapy, but many patients struggle to achieve or maintain it due to withdrawal and relapse risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review FDA-approved medications for treating AUDs and their mechanisms of action.
• To summarize medications currently in preclinical and clinical trials for AUD treatment.
• To explore the potential repurposing of existing drugs (anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, antidepressants) for alcoholism and AUDs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of FDA-approved drugs for AUDs.
• Summary of ongoing preclinical and clinical trials for novel AUD therapeutics.
• Analysis of drug repurposing strategies for alcoholism treatment.

Main Results:

• Several medications are available to manage alcohol withdrawal and reduce craving, supporting abstinence.
• No current drug fully reverses the detrimental effects of excessive alcohol intake.
• Investigational drugs and repurposed medications show promise for improved AUD management.

Conclusions:

• Targeted therapies are crucial for patients with AUDs who cannot achieve abstinence.
• Further research into novel and repurposed medications is needed to combat the adverse effects of alcohol.
• A comprehensive approach combining existing and emerging pharmacological interventions is essential for effective AUD treatment.