title: Pharmacological approaches to methamphetamine dependence: a focused review.
abstract: Methamphetamine dependence is a serious worldwide public health problem with major medical, psychiatric, socioeconomic and legal consequences. Various neuronal mechanisms implicated in methamphetamine dependence have suggested several pharmacological approaches. A literature search from a range of electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, PsycInfo, the NIDA research monograph index and the reference list of clinicaltrials.gov) was conducted for the period from January 1985 to October 2009. There were no restrictions on the identification or inclusion of studies in terms of publication status, language and design type. A variety of medications have failed to show efficacy in clinical trials, including a dopamine partial agonist (aripiprazole), GABAergic agents (gabapentin) and serotonergic agents (SSRI, ondansetron, mirtazapine). Three double-blind placebo-controlled trials using modafinil, bupropion and naltrexone have shown positive results in reducing amphetamine or methamphetamine use. Two studies employing agonist replacement medications, one with d-amphetamine and the other with methylphenidate, have also shown promise. Despite the lack of success in most studies to date, increasing efforts are being made to develop medications for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence and several promising agents are targets of further research.
authors.affiliation: Addiction Research and Treatment Center, Paul Brousse Hospital, Paris XI University, AP-HP, CEA- INSERM U1000, Villejuif, France. laurent.karila@pbr.aphp.fr
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Karila
authors.forename: Aviv
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weinstein
authors.forename: Henri-Jean
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Aubin
authors.forename: Amine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Benyamina
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reynaud
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Batki
mesh_terms: D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008694:Methamphetamine; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D008694:Methamphetamine