title: Novel anticonvulsants in the treatment of alcoholism.
abstract: There have been many recent developments in the pharmacological management of alcohol withdrawal and alcohol dependence. Although previous treatments had included benzodiazepines as their mainstay, the use of these agents in the alcoholic population is problematic. Benzodiazepines are themselves addictive and they may increase the risk of alcohol relapse. Non-benzodiazepine anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine, valproic acid, gabapentin, vigabatrin and topiramate have been shown to be excellent treatments of both alcohol withdrawal and the prevention of alcohol relapse. Although none of these agents have yet been approved by the FDA, there is growing evidence in the literature to support their use.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. booksw@musc.edu
authors.forename: Sarah W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Book
authors.forename: Hugh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Myrick
mesh_terms: D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000588:Amines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D002220:Carbamazepine; D000431:Ethanol; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D014635:Valproic Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin