Drugs currently in Phase II clinical trials for cocaine addiction.
BACKGROUND
There are no FDA-approved pharmacotherapies for treating cocaine addiction; thus, developing drugs to treat cocaine dependence is an unmet critical need. Fortunately, there are a number of drugs that are currently in Phase II clinical trial/s. This is due in part to the advances from in vivo imaging in humans which provided a roadmap of the neurochemistry of the cocaine-dependent brain. Most drugs currently in Phase II clinical trials attempt to modulate the disturbed neurochemistry in cocaine dependents to resemble those of healthy individuals. These predominantly modulate dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, GABA or noradrenaline signalling.


METHODS
This review summarizes the therapeutic potential of each drug as evidenced by clinical and preclinical studies. It also discusses their utility in terms of bioavailability and half-life.


CONCLUSIONS
Amphetamine salts and topiramate clearly stand out in terms of their potential efficacy in treating cocaine addiction. The efficacy of topiramate was closely associated with regular cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), which highlights the importance of a combined effort to promote abstinence and enhance retention via CBT. Cognitive/psychological screening appears necessary for a more symptom-based approach with more reasonable outcomes other than abstinence (e.g., improved quality of life) in treating cocaine addiction.
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Behavioural Neuroscience Division , Parkville, VIC 3052 , Australia.
Jee Hyun
JH
Kim
Andrew J
AJ
Lawrence
D000662:Amphetamines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015195:Drug Design; D005632:Fructose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D000077236:Topiramate
D000662:Amphetamines; D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose
addiction; clinical trials; cocaine; drug pipelines; therapeutics