Oral Naltrexone and Acamprosate Reduce Various Measures of Alcohol Consumption

A systemic review of 123 clinical studies (essentially all randomized, controlled trials; duration range, 12–52 weeks; 23,000 total patients) of FDA-approved medications and medications that are used off-label in patients with alcohol-use disorders (i.e., alcohol abuse or dependence) showed clinical value for four medications. Most patients were enrolled in these studies after detoxification or a period of sobriety. Most studies included a range of psychosocial interventions and support.

Acamprosate (a glutamine antagonist and γ-aminobutyric acid agonist) and oral naltrexone (an opioid antagonist) were about equally effective in preventing resumption of any drinking. Naltrexone also was effective in reducing heavy drinking, but acamprosate w…