title: [Pharmacological therapies for alcohol use disorder in Japan].
abstract: We reviewed the available pharmacological therapies for alcohol use disorder in Japan. For treatment of withdrawal delirium, therapists prefer to use antipsychotic drugs rather than benzodiazepines, which is different from other countries. Japan does not have any substantial treatment guidelines for withdrawal delirium. Therefore, so treatment strategies matching the environment of each facility need to be formulated. Moreover, current choices for prescribing anti-alcoholic drugs to cope with alcohol craving are limited to drugs such as cyanamide and disulfiram. However, the use of acamprosate has recently begun and a clinical trial for nalmefene is starting soon. We anticipate that these newer pharmacological therapies will contribute to better treatment of alcohol use disorder also in Japan.
authors.forename: Yosuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yumoto
authors.forename: Susumu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Higuchi
mesh_terms: D000077443:Acamprosate; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000438:Alcohols / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013654:Taurine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000438:Alcohols; D013654:Taurine; D009271:Naltrexone; D000077443:Acamprosate; C038981:nalmefene