Author: Gary Jackson

Medications for Alcohol Use Disorders: An Overview PMC

To further study the pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic interaction in between ABT-436 and alcohol, Katz et al., (2016) conducted a single-dose clinical study in twenty moderate alcohol drinkers. Each individual received the 4 possible combinations of a single 1,000 mg ABT-436 dose (or matching placebo) and a single 0.5 g/kg alcohol dose (or placebo for alcohol) in a double-blind, randomized, 4-period crossover study. A computerized cognitive test battery (CDR System), Bond-Lader Visual Analog Scales scale, and a postural stability test were performed. The potential interaction of alcohol with ABT-436 and the pharmacological effect of ABT-436 was assessed by measuring serum cortisol. ABT-436 treatment reduced serum cortisol levels, however, no pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic interactions between ABT-436 and alcohol have been reported (Katz et al., 2016).

Treatment for alcohol use disorder may include talk therapy (also called “psychotherapy”), support groups, medicines, or a combination of treatments. Many people with alcohol problems and their family members find that participating in support groups is an essential part of coping with the disease, preventing or dealing with relapses, and staying sober. If your provider suspects that you have a problem with alcohol, you may be referred to a mental health provider. Treatment may involve a brief intervention, individual or group counseling, an outpatient program, or a residential inpatient stay.

Medicines To Treat Alcohol Use Disorder

Intermittent access to a nutritionally complete high fat diet attenuates alcohol drinking in Long Evans rats (Sirohi et al., 2017). The impacts of binge-like feeding on alcohol intake and anxiety-like behavior were modulated by the plasma acyl-ghrelin level that was drastically increased in rats fed high fat diet intermittently, and it reduced alcohol intake in comparison to sucrose intake (Sirohi et al., 2017). In another study use of GHS-RIA antagonist JMV2959 suppressed the alcohol consumption and deprivation effects following long term voluntary alcohol consumption. After ten months of high alcohol consumption in rats, acute JMV2959 treatment significantly decreased alcohol intake without inducing tolerance and prevented the alcohol deprivation effects. In addition, there was a significant decrease in GHS-R1A receptor expression in the VTA, proposing that a negative correlation between GHS-R1A gene and alcohol intake exists (Suchankova et al., 2013).

• 34 alcohol dependent patients were enrolled in this study and the blood ORX levels were measured before and after the 2 weeks of abstinence period.
• Thirty five subjects with co-morbid alcohol dependence and MDD were recruited in this study and divided into two groups.

In addition, the ACTH and cortisol levels were detected in the plasma, signifying the involvement of ORX in the affective dysregulation seen in alcohol dependent patients during alcohol withdrawal (von der Goltz et al., 2011). The effects of ARI on the aspects of impulsivity were evaluated in non-treatment-seeking AUD individuals based on their level of impulsivity and self-control in a well-validated clinical trial. Ninety-nine subjects with heavy drinking and meeting DSM-IV criteria were randomized into two groups. There was no effect of ARI or interaction on a Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) score during the natural drinking period in both the groups, however, it was effective on bar-lab drinking. ARI also reduced the total number of drinks consumed among individuals with low self-control and increased latency to consume more drinks among those with high impulsivity.

Medication for Alcoholism

The role of ARI as a potential medication for the treatment of alcohol-dependence with psychotic disorders was evaluated in a preclinical chronic alcohol self-administration (CASA) animal model. During oral administration of ARI at doses 1, and 3 mg/kg on 4% alcohol intake, ARI did not reduce alcohol intake substantially (13 and 28%, respectively). Striatal D2R occupancy and brain exposure of ARI were considerably higher in CASA rats when compared to normal rats, suggesting that ARI could be a potential medication to treat the patients dually diagnosed with alcohol abuse and psychotic disorders (Nirogi et al., 2013). Martinotti et al, studied in a randomized double-blind comparison trial the effects of pregabalin and naltrexone by recruiting seventy-one patients and investigated the alcohol drinking indices (alcohol craving and relapse prevention) and psychiatric symptoms.