Hello jerry7777777-ga,
The following drugs are available worldwide for combating alcoholism.
One of them, disulfiram, sold as Antabuse, makes people feel sick when
they drink.
The other two drugs - acamprosate, available in Europe but not the
United States, and naltrexone - are given to ward off relapses once an
alcoholic has stopped drinking.
Recent studies have shown that the drug topiramate, marketed as
Topamax usually prescribed for epileptic patients is highly effective
in helping alcohol-dependent individuals stop drinking.
“Only two medications are currently approved for treating alcoholics
in the U.S. -- disulfiram (Antabuse) and naltrexone. Antabuse does not
reduce cravings, it merely makes a drinker feel sick if they consume
alcohol. Naltrexone has been shown to reduce cravings in alcoholics
who have already quit drinking.”
“Another medication, acamprosate has proven to be more effective than
naltrexone, but it has yet to be approved for use in the United
States, although it has been used for years in Europe. Acamprosate is
also designed to reduce cravings after the person has stopped
drinking.”
“Topiramate is the first medication that has been shown to be
effective for persons who are still drinking. Drinkers get pleasure
from alcohol when it releases the chemical dopamine in the brain,
researchers say. Topiramate works by "washing away" the excess
dopamine. In other words, alcoholics no longer get any pleasure from
drinking.”
“Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San
Antonio reported that heavy drinkers were six times more likely to
remain abstinent for a month if they took the medication, even in
small doses.”
Alcoholism: About.com
http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/meds/a/aa030517.htm
===================================================
Trade and Generic Names of Psychiatric Medications.
Compiled by, Ivan Goldberg, MD
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Trade name Generic name Use of Medication
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Antabuse disulfiram Rx of alcoholism
Nalorex naltrexone Rx of alcoholism
ReVia naltrexone Rx of alcoholism
Phaltrexia naltrexone Rx of alcoholism
Trexan naltrexone Rx of alcoholism
Nalorex naltrexone Rx of alcoholism
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Psycom.net
http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.drugnames.html
===================================================
From CBS News:
Topiramate
“An epilepsy drug offers significant promise in helping alcoholics
quit drinking and appears to be more effective than drugs now in use
for the problem, a new study shows.
“Researchers found that those given the medication were six times more
likely than those on a dummy pill to abstain from alcohol for a month,
according to the report published Friday in The Lancet”
CBS News: May 2003
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/05/16/health/main554339.shtml
=============
Disulfiram- Antabuse
=============
“Disuifiram produces a sensitivity to alcohol which results in a
highly unpleasant reaction when the patient under treatment ingests
even small amounts of alcohol.”
RX List
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/disulfiram_cp.htm
“Disulfiram is an aid in the management of selected chronic alcohol
patients who want to remain in a state of enforced sobriety so that
supportive and psychotherapeutic treatment may be applied to best
advantage.”
“Disulfiram is not a cure for alcoholism. When used alone, without
proper motivation and supportive therapy, it is unlikely that it will
have any substantive effect on the drinking pattern of the chronic
alcoholic.”
RX List
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/disulfiram_ids.htm
Disulfiram at Medline Plus:
“Disulfiram is used to treat chronic alcoholism. It causes unpleasant
effects when even small amounts of alcohol are consumed. These effects
include flushing of the face, headache, nausea, vomiting, chest pain,
weakness, blurred vision, mental confusion, sweating, choking,
breathing difficulty, and anxiety. These effects begin about 10
minutes after alcohol enters the body and last for 1 hour or more.
Disulfiram is not a cure for alcoholism, but discourages drinking.”
Medline Plus
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682602.html
==========
Naltrexone
==========
“Naltrexone is used to help people who have a narcotic or alcohol
addiction stay drug free. Naltrexone is used after the patient has
stopped taking drugs or alcohol. It works by blocking the effects of
narcotics or by decreasing the craving for alcohol.”
“Naltrexone helps decrease the craving for narcotics or alcohol but
does not treat addiction. It is important that you attend all
counseling, support group meetings, and other treatments prescribed by
your doctor. Take naltrexone regularly. Do not stop taking it without
talking to your doctor.”
Medline Plus
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a685041.html
==================
Naltrexone - Revia
==================
REVIA is indicated: “In the treatment of alcohol dependence and for
the blockade of the effects of exogenously administered opioids.”
“REVIA has not been shown to provide any therapeutic benefit except as
part of an appropriate plan of management for the addictions.”
Source: RX List
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic2/naltrexone_ids.htm
You may read more about Naltrexone for Alcoholism from Your Family
Doctor:
http://familydoctor.org/handouts/130.html
Search Criteria:
Medications alcoholism
Antabuse
Revia
Naltrexone
Topiramate
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Best Regards,
Bobbie7-ga |
