GABAB Agonists for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder

Curr Pharm Des. 2015;21(23):3367-72. doi: 10.2174/1381612821666150619091858.

Abstract

Almost 10% of the world's population is affected by alcohol use disorder (AUD). The combination between psychosocial intervention and pharmacological treatment seems to be the most effective approach for patients affected by AUD. Among effective drugs useful in the treatment of AUD, GABAB-ergic medications have been tested with encouraging results (i.e. sodium oxybate, baclofen, gabapentin, pregabalin and tiagabine). The present review will summarize available data on these medications.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alcohol-Related Disorders / diagnosis
  • Alcohol-Related Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Alcohol-Related Disorders / metabolism
  • Alcohol-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / metabolism
  • GABA-B Receptor Agonists / adverse effects
  • GABA-B Receptor Agonists / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Inappropriate Prescribing
  • Off-Label Use*
  • Patient Safety
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • Receptors, GABA-B / drug effects*
  • Receptors, GABA-B / metabolism
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism*

Substances

  • GABA-B Receptor Agonists
  • Receptors, GABA-B
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid