[Relapse prevention in alcohol dependence: acamprosate and naltrexone as a combined pharmacological strategy].
Acamprosate and naltrexone are established strategies for pharmacologic relapse prevention in patients with alcohol dependence. Regarding pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic considerations the combination of both agents for this indication is a reasonable treatment option that has been described to be safe and effective in clinical studies. However, this combination is uncommon in clinical practice. We report the case of a patient with severe alcohol and benzodiazepine dependence who achieved the longest interval of abstinence under combined treatment with acamprosate and naltrexone since the development of addiction. In addition, the currently available evidence regarding efficacy, safety and tolerability of both agents is discussed. In summary the combined treatment with both agents should be considered in patients who did not achieve abstinence under monotherapy unless contraindications are present.
Abteilung für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie III, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Leimgrubenweg 12-14, Ulm, Germany. maximilian.gahr@uni-ulm.de
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D000077443:Acamprosate; D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013654:Taurine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D013654:Taurine; D009271:Naltrexone; D000077443:Acamprosate