Pharmacotherapy for Alcohol Use Disorder

Med Clin North Am. 2018 Jul;102(4):653-666. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2018.02.008. Epub 2018 Apr 26.

Abstract

Alcohol use disorder is a common, destructive, and undertreated disease. As understanding of alcohol use disorder has evolved, so has our ability to manage patients with pharmacotherapeutic agents in addition to nondrug therapy, including various counseling strategies. Providers now have a myriad of medications, both approved and not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, to choose from and can personalize care based on treatment goals, comorbidities, drug interactions, and drug availability. This review explores these treatment options and offers the prescriber practical advice regarding when each option may or may not be appropriate for a specific patient.

Keywords: Addiction; Alcohol use disorder; FDA approved; Off-label; Personalized medicine; Pharmacotherapy; Withdrawal.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alcohol Deterrents / administration & dosage
  • Alcohol Deterrents / adverse effects
  • Alcohol Deterrents / therapeutic use*
  • Alcoholism / drug therapy*
  • Anticonvulsants / administration & dosage
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Comorbidity
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Humans
  • Medication Adherence
  • Narcotic Antagonists / administration & dosage
  • Narcotic Antagonists / adverse effects
  • Narcotic Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Nicotinic Agonists / administration & dosage
  • Nicotinic Agonists / adverse effects
  • Nicotinic Agonists / therapeutic use*
  • Off-Label Use
  • Patient Care Planning
  • United States

Substances

  • Alcohol Deterrents
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Nicotinic Agonists