Evidenced-Based Pharmacotherapies for Alcohol Use Disorder

Pathologic alcohol use affects more than 2 billion people and accounts for nearly 6% of all deaths worldwide. There are three medications approved for the treatment of alcohol use disorder by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA): disulfiram, naltrexone (oral and long-acting injectable), and acamprosate. Of growing interest is the use of anticonvulsants for the treatment of alcohol use disorder, although currently none are FDA approved for this indication. Baclofen, a γ-aminobutyric acid B receptor agonist used for spasticity and pain, received temporary approval for alcohol use disorder in France.

Source: Mayo Clinic Proceedings - May 19, 2020 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Jeremiah Fairbanks, Audrey Umbreit, Bhanu Prakash Kolla, Victor M. Karpyak, Terry D. Schneekloth, Larissa L. Loukianova, Shirshendu Sinha Tags: Review Source Type: research