Review article: pharmacotherapy for alcohol dependence – the why, the what and the wherefore

摘要: SummaryBackground The development of alcohol dependence is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. For the majority affected people most appropriate goal, in terms drinking behaviour, abstinence from alcohol. Psychosocial intervention mainstay treatment but adjuvant pharmacotherapy also available its use recommended. Aim To provide an updated analysis current potential pharmacotherapeutic options for management dependence. In addition, factors predictive therapeutic outcome, including compliance pharmacogenetics, barriers to treatment, doctors’ unwillingness prescribe these agents, will be explored. Methods Relevant papers were selected review following extensive, language- date-unrestricted, electronic manual searches literature. Results Acamprosate naltrexone have a substantial evidence base overall efficacy, safety cost-effectiveness while risks disulfiram are well-known can minimised patient selection supervision. Acamprosate used safely patients liver disease those comorbid mental health issues co-occurring drug-related problems. A number other agents being investigated this indication including: baclofen, topiramate metadoxine. Conclusion Pharmacotherapy has been shown moderately efficacious few concerns, it substantially underutilised. Concerted efforts must made remove order optimise condition.