Pharmacotherapy for Substance Use Disorders

Med Clin North Am. 2016 Jul;100(4):891-910. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2016.03.011. Epub 2016 Apr 20.

Abstract

This article reviews the current pharmacotherapy options available for the treatment of patients with substance use disorders. In the United States there are medications available to treat tobacco use disorders (nicotine replacement, bupropion, and varenicline), alcohol use disorders (naltrexone and acamprosate), and opioid use disorders (methadone and buprenorphine). These medications are likely underused and physicians should more readily prescribe for eligible patients.

Keywords: Buprenorphine; Methadone; Naltrexone; Substance use disorder; Varenicline.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Alcohol Deterrents / therapeutic use
  • Alcoholism / diagnosis
  • Alcoholism / drug therapy
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Buprenorphine / therapeutic use
  • Bupropion / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Humans
  • Methadone / therapeutic use
  • Naltrexone / therapeutic use
  • Narcotic Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Opiate Substitution Treatment / methods
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / drug therapy
  • Recurrence
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Substance-Related Disorders / diagnosis
  • Substance-Related Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Tobacco Use Cessation Devices
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / drug therapy
  • Varenicline / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Alcohol Deterrents
  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Bupropion
  • Buprenorphine
  • Naltrexone
  • Methadone
  • Varenicline