Medicines available for 'alcohol dependants'

[Roberttt]

This may sound really quite random and I guess quite ambiguous but I was just wondering what kind of medication (or treatment) is available for alcohol dependants?

I'm not looking into it for personal reasons, I'm actually researching for study purposes. I have a 6000 word essay to complete, waaa ! Actually, I guess that's nothing for those who have trawled through pharmacy for 5 years.

Anyway, any feedback and comments would be greatly appreciated. Thankyou!

(P.s. I hope this is in the right section!)

[Zoggite]

Obviously acamprosate (Campral) and Disulfiram (Antabuse) spring to mind; But I also see diazepam, procyclidine, thiamine, and Vit. B Co strong tabs prescribed, as well as a whole lot of antidepressants...

[Roberttt]

Yeah, I was thinking of antidepressants, vitaman B and maybe diazepam (etc) but I was thinking of things where alcohol was the primary diagnosis. Sorry to sound quite vague on this!

Thankyou zoggite, I'll look into those!

[Jeff]

See BNF section 4.10

also consider non drug treatments

From the Orange Book

"6.4.4 Non-drug interventions
Advice should be given on the location of
Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) meetings, and
patients should be encouraged to attend AA
meetings as part of their initial treatment
programmes. Posters with information on NA
and AA should be prominently displayed in
patient waiting areas and leaflets on such
programmes should be available. Knowledge of
other local support groups and day programmes,
and active links with such programmes, can
facilitate patient uptake."

The SIGN Guidelines are useful
http://www.sign.ac.uk/pdf/sign74.pdf

NICE guidance is under development

This however is useful

http://beta.cks.library.nhs.uk/alcohol_problem_drinking

(declaration of interest - I've been invited to be a reviewer)

Jeff

[Band6]

In hospital:

Pabrinex IV, 1 pair twice daily for 2-3 days (prophylaxis of Wernicke's encephalopathy)

Thiamine 300mg od (usually divided doses) (reason - as above)

Chlordiazepoxide, reducing dose.

If liver impairment - not chlordiazepoxide, substitute for oxazepam (avoids first pass effect)

Usually multivitamins BPC 1-2 od

Vit B Co. Strong - dose varies!

Don't forget non-pharmacological measures, I know a patient who did very well with Tai Chi!

It is also appropriate to investigate any underlying causes eg depression, bi-polar disorder, and treat as necessary.