Abstract
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 GABAB 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 serotoninspecific 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.
Keywords: Alcohol Dependence, Alcohol Pharmacotherapy, Alcohol Typology, Pharmacogenetics, topiramate, ondansetron, baclofen, sertraline, prazosin, cannabinoid, ghrelin, typology, neuropharmacological, aripiprazole, disulfiram, serotonin, acmprosate, odansetron
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Current and Promising Pharmacotherapies, and Novel Research Target Areas in the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence: A Review
Volume: 17 Issue: 14
Author(s): Steven M. Edwards, George A. Kenna, Robert M. Swift and Lorenzo Leggio
Affiliation:
Keywords: Alcohol Dependence, Alcohol Pharmacotherapy, Alcohol Typology, Pharmacogenetics, topiramate, ondansetron, baclofen, sertraline, prazosin, cannabinoid, ghrelin, typology, neuropharmacological, aripiprazole, disulfiram, serotonin, acmprosate, odansetron
Abstract: 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 GABAB 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 serotoninspecific 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.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
M. Edwards Steven, A. Kenna George, M. Swift Robert and Leggio Lorenzo, Current and Promising Pharmacotherapies, and Novel Research Target Areas in the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence: A Review, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2011; 17 (14) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161211796150765
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161211796150765 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Engineered Nanoparticles for Improved Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) Biomedical Applications
Recent Patents on Nanomedicine CGRP-Receptor Antagonism in Migraine Treatment
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Hurdles in the Drug Discovery of Cathepsin K Inhibitors
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry The Role of Natural Killer T Cells in Acute Kidney Injury: Angel or Evil?
Current Protein & Peptide Science The Interactions of Anticancer Agents with Tea Catechins: Current Evidence from Preclinical Studies
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Imidazole: An Essential Edifice for the Identification of New Lead Compounds and Drug Development
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Genomics and Pharmacogenomics of Salt-sensitive Hypertension
Current Hypertension Reviews Malaria Stage-Specific Vaccine Candidates
Current Pharmaceutical Design Regulation of Oxidative Stress and Cardioprotection in Diabetes Mellitus
Current Cardiology Reviews Mechanisms and Medical Management of Exercise Intolerance in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Clinical Pharmacology of Frequently Used Intravenous Drugs During Bariatric Surgery in Adolescents
Current Pharmaceutical Design Phytochemicals as Adjunctive with Conventional Anticancer Therapies
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Effect of SEX/Gender on Cardiovascular Pharmacology
Current Pharmaceutical Design 30 Years Lost in Anesthesia Theory
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Hepatotoxicity of Antiretroviral Drugs
Current Pharmaceutical Design Micropropagation: A Tool for the Production of High Quality Plant-based Medicines
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Protease-Activated Receptor-2 Antagonists and Agonists
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents What is the Evidence for the use of Adrenaline in the Treatment of Neonatal Hypotension?
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Functions of Third Extracellular Loop and Helix 8 of Family B GPCRs Complexed with RAMPs and Characteristics of their Receptor Trafficking
Current Protein & Peptide Science Cinnamic Acid Derivatives in Tuberculosis, Malaria and Cardiovascular Diseases - A Review
Current Organic Chemistry