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KMID : 0870520000040010003
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Journal of Korean Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
2000 Volume.4 No. 1 p.3 ~ p.10
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Treatment of Alcohol Dependence with Acamprosate
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Lee Pil-Goo
Lee Byung-Ook
Choi Moon-Jong
Lee Choong-Heon
Namkoong Kee
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Abstract
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Acamprosate (calcium bis acetylhomotaurinate) is a new medication that appears to be clinically useful in the treatment
of alcohol dependence. Although it has proved effective in reducing relapse into drinking in clinical trials its exact neurochemical mechanism of action is not clear yet. Evidence is presented that the drug does not act in any of the conventional ways to reduce alcohol intake or psychotropical medication and it is proposed that it may be a novel kind of agent that suppresses craving. On the basis of its known pharmacological effects in pre-clinical studies it is suggested that acamprosate may reduce craving that is associated with conditioned negative withdrawal. Current trends of the prescriptions through European countries show its therapeutic effectiveness and availability. In addition to the potential therapeutic value of acamprosate, the drug may be useful because work directed toward understanding its mechanism of action may shed light on some of the fundamental processes that constitute alcohol abuse and relapse in weaned alcohol dependent patients.
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KEYWORD
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Alcohol dependence, Acamprosate, Clinical guideline
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