Medications

In the US, three drugs are specifically approved to treat alcohol dependence:

• naltrexone (ReVia)
• acamprosate (Campral)
• disulfiram (Antabuse)

Naltrexone and acamprosate are categorized as anticraving drugs. Disulfiram is an aversion drug. Other types of medications, such as antidepressants, may also be used to treat patients with alcoholism.

Anticraving Medications

Text Continues Below

---

Anticraving drugs are opioid antagonists. These drugs reduce the intoxicating effects of alcohol and the urge to drink

Naltrexone. Naltrexone (ReVia) is approved for the treatment of alcoholism and is effective for reducing alcohol dependence in the short term for people with low to moderate alcohol dependency. For best results, it should be used with cognitive behavioral therapy but it may also help many alcohol-dependent people without access to psychologic support. The drug does not work in all patients. A 2003 study suggested that people with a specific genetic variant called ASn40 respond better to the drug than those without the gene. The gene regulates receptors that affect the response to opioids. A 2005 study indicated that naltrexone works best for patients who have a family history of alcoholism, began drinking at an early age, and abuse other drugs. Another study reported that naltrexone offered no advantages for men with chronic, severe alcohol dependence, particularly if they have no social support.

Research is being conducted on the effects of combining naltrexone with acamprosate (Campral), particularly for individuals who have not responded to single drug treatment. Naltrexone is currently approved as a pill that is taken daily by mouth. Researchers are investigating an injectable form of naltrexone that would be given on a monthly basis. A 2005 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that patients who received monthly injections of naltrexone for 6 months were more likely to reduce their heavy drinking than patients who received placebo. In this study, patients also received psychotherapy.