Naltrexone and acamprosate. Using new drugs for alcohol dependence.
BACKGROUND
Two new drugs for the treatment of alcohol dependence have recently become available in Australia. Both naltrexone and acamprosate have an 'anticraving' action, but act on different pathways and have different properties.


OBJECTIVE
This article aims to give an outline of the major pharmacological features of the two new drugs and some guidelines on their use for general practitioners.


CONCLUSIONS
The past 50 years have seen major advances in almost all medical disciplines. A notable exception has been the alcohol and drug field. The arrival of methadone to Australia in the 1960s was, until lately, the most recent advance in the field. Over the past 18 months, several new drugs have become available for use in alcohol and drug (A&D) clinics. These drugs have also become available to the GP, but their use by this group remains relatively small.
Tedeschi
M
M
ACT Alcohol and Drug Program, Canberra Hospital, ACT.
D000077443:Acamprosate; D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001315:Australia; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011379:Prognosis; D013654:Taurine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D013654:Taurine; D009271:Naltrexone; D000077443:Acamprosate