Practical outpatient pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorder

Abstract

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is commonly encountered in clinical practice. A combination of psychosocial intervention and pharmacotherapy is the cornerstone of AUD treatment. Despite their efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness, clinicians are reluctant to prescribe medications to treat individuals with AUD. Given the high rate of relapse with psychosocial intervention alone, increasing patient access to this underutilized treatment has the potential to improve clinical outcome in this difficult-to-treat population. Herein, we provide practical pharmacotherapy strategies to improve treatment outcome for AUD. We review the efficacy and side effects of both on- and off-label agents with a particular focus on clinical applicability. Recommendations are supported by findings from randomized controlled trials (RCT) and meta-analyses selected to be representative, where possible, of current treatment guidelines. The goal of this paper is to help readers use pharmacotherapy with greater confidence when treating patients with AUD.

Introduction

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a serious public health threat. It causes significant morbidity and mortality. Moreover, the economic burden of alcohol-related societal harm is nearly $250 billion annually in the United States (US) alone [1]. AUD as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) [2] is common with a lifetime prevalence of 29.1% [3]. The high prevalence of AUD and alcohol-related death worldwide warrants a focus on improving screening, treatment and access to care [4].

The mainstay of AUD treatment is psychosocial intervention [5,6]. However, unfortunately, the relapse rate is higher with psychosocial intervention alone as compared to in combination with pharmacotherapy [7]. This suggests a clear role for pharmacotherapy, used in conjunction with psychosocial treatment, to reduce relapse rates. A number of AUD medications have demonstrated reduction in heavy drinking and prolonged periods of abstinence [8]. Three medications are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for AUD treatment: disulfiram, oral and extended-release injectable naltrexone and acamprosate. Two other agents, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid and nalmefene, are approved in Europe. Several other agents are used off-label to treat the symptoms of AUD.

Despite their efficacy and cost-effectiveness, however, clinicians are often reluctant to prescribe medications to treat AUD. Fewer than 20% of people treated for AUD are prescribed FDA-approved medications at substance abuse treatment facilities and this is likely to be even lower for off-label agents [9,10]. Lack of knowledge or familiarity with the medications and doubts about their effectiveness may contribute to such a low utilization rate. Given the high rate of relapse and associated health and social burden, expanding awareness and knowledge of pharmacotherapeutic options, including off-label agents, has the potential to improve clinical outcome for individuals with AUD. This paper is a synthesized editorial to improve the readers’ comfort level in prescribing medications to treat AUD, particularly for decreasing alcohol use and maintaining abstinence. We provide practical pharmacotherapeutic strategies to optimize treatment outcomes that are grounded in empirical evidence and incorporate consideration of comorbidities and side-effect profiles.

Indication for pharmacotherapy and goal-setting

Most of the extant clinical trials were conducted on recently abstinent individuals with a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of alcohol dependence. DSM-IV-TR has since undergone a revision wherein alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence are integrated into a single disorder called AUD with mild, moderate and severe subclassifications. Although diagnostic crossover into DSM-5 is imprecise, alcohol dependence is roughly comparable to the moderate-to-severe subtype of AUD, whereas alcohol abuse is comparable to the mild subtype. Patients with AUD, particularly those with moderate-to-severe subtype, should be considered for adjuvant pharmacotherapy together with evidence-based psychosocial intervention [5,6,11].

The main goal of AUD treatment is either complete abstinence or reduction of heavy drinking (harm reduction), which is a proxy marker for harmful alcohol-related psychosocial consequences. Although controversy exists as to which is the preferred goal of AUD treatment, both options have benefits [12,13]. Goals should be developed with patients on a personalized basis. For individuals with severe comorbid psychiatric (e.g., bipolar disorder) or medical conditions (e.g., cirrhotic liver disease), clinicians should advocate strongly for complete abstinence as the treatment goal. Reduction of heavy drinking may be a more reasonable goal for ambivalent patients who lack the readiness to commit to abstinence [14]. Principles of motivational interviewing, together with flexibility and willingness to work with the patient’s goals, can be helpful when working with these patients.

Brief neurobiology of AUD

Given that existing treatments are moderately effective at best, clinicians must strive to optimize their understanding of the disorder and its underlying neuroscience. This means having a basic understanding of the effect of each agent on brain circuitry and its downstream effects. In line with our focus on clinical practice, we provide here a simplified overview. A more detailed neurobiology underlying AUD can be found elsewhere [15–18].

AUD medications alter the reinforcing effects of alcohol by affecting neurotransmitters that interact with the mesocorticolimbic reward pathway. Five neurotransmitters have been centrally implicated in AUD: dopamine, endogenous opioids, serotonin (5-HT), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate [18]. Alcohol indirectly increases dopamine levels in the mesocorticolimbic system and activates mu-opioid receptors in the brain. These effects are associated with the positive reinforcing and rewarding effects of alcohol. With chronic alcohol use, the brain adapts and the rewarding effects of alcohol-induced dopaminergic response are attenuated over time. Thus, the individual requires higher doses of alcohol to experience the rewarding effect, known as tolerance. In addition, alcohol increases the effects of GABA, a major inhibitory neurotransmitter, and inhibits the effects of glutamate, a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. With chronic alcohol use, the GABA system is downregulated and the glutamatergic system is upregulated to counter the sedating, GABA-enhancing, glutamate-dampening effects of alcohol. This explains the hyperexcitable symptoms in the acute withdrawal phase that often require detoxification with benzodiazepines. The symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal phase commonly start within hours from the last drink and typically subside within days without treatment. Symptoms include tremor, autonomic hyperactivity, nausea or vomiting, psychomotor agitation, and, in severe cases, seizures or delirium tremens [19]. For many patients with AUD, the acute withdrawal phase is followed by a protracted withdrawal phase that can last months to years. The symptoms of the protracted withdrawal phase include tremor, anxiety, insomnia, low energy, anhedonia and dysphoria [19,20]. It is theorized that this protracted withdrawal phase reflects a period of neural recovery from damage sustained by alcohol use [19]. This physiological resetting is known as allostasis, a bodily response to stress to reclaim homeostasis. Alcohol consumption during this period instantly relieves the unpleasant symptoms of this stress–response system and, thus, increases the relapse vulnerability of abstinent AUD patients.

Practical prescribing strategies

Pharmacotherapy can be started either in the outpatient setting or during hospitalization for intoxication or withdrawal. Both abstinence and harm reduction approaches may be helpful. Collaborating with AUD patients to lower daily consumption may be helpful in working toward abstinence [21]. Pharmacotherapy is typically started after a patient has become abstinent from alcohol with inpatient or outpatient formal detoxification. However, it is also commonly initiated for individuals in an outpatient setting who are still consuming alcohol and have a goal of reducing their consumption. Table 1 concisely summarizes the dosing, side effects and other prescribing considerations of AUD medications discussed in this paper. Figure 1 is a suggested treatment algorithm for selection of agents that reflects the authors’ perspective on AUD pharmacotherapy in the outpatient setting. Three agents are approved in the US, and we recommend providing initial consideration to these agents. Detailed guidelines for use of these agents can be found at the American Psychiatric Association Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders [22,23], Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration guidelines [24], as well as the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines [6].

Table 1.

Pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Medication1	Dosing2	Side effects and monitoring3	Medicolegal tips, other indications and contraindications4
Naltrexone	50 mg once daily 380 mg monthly for intramuscular formulation	Nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, anxiety, hepatocellular injury, suicidality Injection site reactions for the intramuscular formulation Monitor liver function	- Patient must be opioid-free for 7–10 days prior to initiation, as confirmed by negative urine test and/or naloxone challenge test - Discontinue if opioid-based anesthesia is anticipated - Warn patients of potential for hepatotoxicity - Contraindicated in acute hepatitis or liver failure
Acamprosate	333 mg tablets 2 tablets three times daily for weight ≥132 lbs and 2 tablets twice daily for weight <132 lbs *Renal dosing	Diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, anxiety, depression, suicidality Monitor renal function	- Contraindicated in patients with creatinine clearance less than 30 mL per minute
Disulfiram	Begin at 250 mg daily, may increase to 500 mg daily *Variable starting doses	Disulfiram-alcohol interaction, metallic taste, dermatitis, sedation, headache, psychosis, hepatotoxicity, hypotension Monitor liver function	- Patients must be educated about the effects if they drink, including potentially lethal hypotension, and that reactions may occur up to 2 weeks after discontinuing the medication, as well as with other forms of alcohol, including mouthwash and with cough syrup - Contraindicated in patients who are intoxicated with alcohol, taking metronidazole, amprenavir, ritonavir, or sertraline, have psychosis or cardiovascular disease
Topiramate	Begin at 25 mg daily and increase to up to 150 mg twice daily *Renal dosing	Sedation, dizziness, ataxia, paresthesia, psychomotor retardation, speech difficulties, tremor, nausea, cognitive function, metabolic acidosis Monitor electrolytes	- Indicated for epilepsy, migraine prophylaxis, chronic weight management - Non-FDA use for bipolar disorder, psychotropic drug-induced weight gain, binge-eating disorder - Contraindicated within 6 hours of alcohol use
Gabapentin	Begin at 300 mg once daily and increase to up to 600 mg three times daily *Renal dosing	Sedation, dizziness, ataxia, fatigue, tremor, xerostomia, constipation, weight gain, peripheral edema, sudden death (when used in epilepsy) and suicidality Monitor renal function	- Indicated for post-herpetic neuralgia, adjunctive therapy in epilepsy, restless leg syndrome - Non-FDA use for fibromyalgia, anxiety, bipolar disorder
Baclofen	Begin at 5 mg three times daily, may increase up to 10 mg three times daily	Dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, weakness, CNS depression, respiratory depression, seizures	- Indicated for spasticity - Non-FDA use for intractable hiccups
Nalmefene	18 mg daily as needed 1–2 hours prior to anticipated drinking situation or as soon as possible after drinking	Nausea, vomiting, insomnia, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, psychosis, dissociation	- Not available in the US but approved for AUD in the EU - Should not be chewed or crushed owing to potential for skin sensitization if medication comes in contact with skin
Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid	Administer 50–100 mg/kg daily divided into 3–6 doses *hepatic dosing	Dizziness, vertigo, sedation, headache, nausea, vomiting, enuresis, depression, respiratory depression in overdose, psychosis, wandering at night	- Indicated excessive sleepiness and cataplexy in narcolepsy - Use with extreme caution given potential for abuse and/or diversion - Providers must register with Xyrem REMS Program and use pharmacy that is specially certified
SSRI5	Depends on choice of the SSRI	Constipation, flatulence, insomnia, sedation, tremor, headache, dizziness, sweating, sexual dysfunction, seizures, mania, suicidality	Indicated for mood, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorders, eating disorders, but depends on the choice of SSRI - Use with caution in patients with history of seizures or bipolar disorder
Varenicline	Begin at 0.5 mg daily, may increase up to 1 mg twice daily	Dose dependent nausea, vomiting, constipation, flatulence, insomnia, headache, abnormal dreams, depression, suicidality	- Indicated for nicotine dependence - Carefully monitor for changes in behavior, depressed mood, agitation and suicidality
Ondansetron	Studies have used low doses (4 μg twice daily) but lowest dose available is 4 mg *hepatic dosing	Headache, fatigue, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, dose dependent QT prolongation Monitor EKG in high risk patients	- Indicated for nausea/vomiting - Avoid in patients with congenital long QT syndrome - Use caution and monitor EKG in patients with electrolyte abnormalities, bradyarrhythmias, or CHF and those taking another QT prolonging agent

¹FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved medications for treatment of AUD indicated in bold.

²All dosing in oral route unless otherwise indicated.

³More common or notable side effects listed first, with serious but rare potential adverse effects to be aware of highlighted in bold.

⁴Specific medication allergy not listed for each medication to avoid redundancy, but prescribers should be aware of this contraindication.

⁵Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

^*Indicates drug dosing considerations for patients with hepatic or renal impairments.

Figure 1.

Suggested treatment algorithm for alcohol use disorder (AUD).

GHB, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid; PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder; SSRI, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

First-line agents

Both naltrexone and acamprosate are FDA-approved for the treatment of AUD. The key to selection starts with identification of concurrent opioid use and medical comorbidities. If the patient is currently using opioids to treat pain or the patient has acute hepatitis or liver failure, naltrexone is contraindicated and acamprosate may be a better option. Typically, acamprosate is best for maintaining sobriety once the patient has achieved abstinence. Renal impairment with creatinine clearance less than 30 mL per minute is a contraindication for acamprosate, and as such, baseline creatinine clearance should be evaluated. If the patient is still actively drinking, does not use opioids and has no hepatic impairment, the safest option is to initiate naltrexone. Naltrexone does not interact with alcohol and does not exhibit addictive potential.

Oral naltrexone

Naltrexone blocks the mu-opioid receptor that modulates the dopaminergic mesolimbic pathway, thereby dampening alcohol’s pleasurable, reinforcing effects [18]. The starting dose is 50 mg/day for most patients, but prescribers may be more conservative for at-risk patients, using 25 mg/day as the starting dose, which can be increased over a period of 1–2 weeks to a maintenance dose of 50 mg/day [25]. Multiple meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCT) have found that naltrexone reduces alcohol intake and relapse rates. The risk of heavy drinking has been shown to be reduced by 83% compared to placebo (number needed to treat [NNT]=9) with a 4% reduction in drinking days [26]. A 2014 meta-analysis reported a more modest benefit (NNT=12) to prevent return to heavy drinking for 50 mg/day of oral naltrexone [27]. The efficacy of naltrexone may be influenced by the presence of genetic predisposition, such as a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) and a variable number tandem repeat polymorphisms (VNTP) in the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) [28–30]. Common side effects are nausea, headache, sedation and dizziness, which typically self-resolve with time. Given reports of elevated liver enzymes and low, but theoretical risk of hepatotoxicity, periodic liver enzyme monitoring is recommended. In addition, considering the mechanism of naltrexone as an opioid antagonist, it is contraindicated in patients using opioids. Treatment should not begin until the patient has been off opioids for more than a week. Naltrexone should also be discontinued if a surgical operation using opioid-based anesthesia is anticipated.

Depot naltrexone

Depot formulation of naltrexone has been developed to improve adherence [25,31,32]. This formulation conveniently cuts dosing frequency from daily to monthly. It also avoids peak effects that may contribute to the higher likelihood of side effects. Three depot formulations are available (Vivitrol, Naltrel, Depotrex) of which only Vivitrol is approved in the US [33]. No head-to-head trials of these formulations are available. A large RCT of individuals receiving Vivitrol 380 mg monthly reduced heavy drinking by 25% compared to placebo [34]. Another multisite study involving a different depot formulation, Naltrel, did not replicate this result, but it did find that the medication increased the cumulative number of abstinent days during the 90-day treatment period compared to placebo (52.8 vs 45.6 days) [35]. Nevertheless, depot naltrexone is a useful agent when the patient receives benefit from oral naltrexone but has difficulty with adherence. Common side effects of Vivitrol are nausea, fatigue and decreased appetite. As with any depot formulation, clinicians should monitor injection-site reactions (e.g., pain, swelling, bruising, pruritus or redness) persisting for more than 2 weeks.

Acamprosate

Acamprosate is often considered an ‘artificial alcohol’ or a ‘functional glutamate antagonist.’ This is because it inhibits the glutamate system and enhances the GABA system much like alcohol itself without the addictive properties of alcohol [25,36,37]. The typical dose is two 333 mg tablets three times a day, with lower recommended doses for patients with renal impairment. Multiple meta-analyses have found acamprosate to reduce alcohol consumption compared to placebo. Acamprosate decreased return to any drinking to 86% of placebo (NNT=9) and increased abstinence duration by 11% [38]. Another meta-analysis of largely European studies found acamprosate increased 6-month abstinence rate (36.1 vs 23.4%) compared to placebo [39]. However, the Combining Medications and Behavioral Interventions (COMBINE) study [7] and its 1-year posttreatment drinking outcome study [40] did not show that acamprosate is more effective than placebo. Differences in study methodology between US and European studies may explain differing outcome [25]. Acamprosate has an excellent safety profile with diarrhea and fatigue being the most commonly reported side effects, which typically subside with use. It is not addictive and is safe in overdose. It is safe for patients with severe liver disease due to predominant renal excretion bypassing hepatic metabolism. Accordingly, acamprosate requires dose adjustment for renal insufficiency and it is contraindicated in patients with creatinine clearance less than 30 mL per minute.

Second-line agents

Except for disulfiram, these agents are all off-label in the US. The agents discussed in this section are worth considering when naltrexone and acamprosate are ineffective or contraindicated. The evidence here is more mixed, and clinical judgment integrating mechanism, tolerability and comorbidity is essential. Informed consent must be obtained with a clear explanation about the off-label status, risks and benefits.

Disulfiram

If the patient is motivated to stay abstinent and expresses a desire to try this agent, disulfiram may be an option. This medication does not promote abstinence by decreasing craving, but creates an aversive reaction to alcohol that discourages drinking [41]. Disulfiram blocks acetaldehyde dehydrogenase and prevents the breakdown of alcohol central metabolite, acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde accumulation is responsible for the unpleasant physiologic reaction like flushing, nausea, vomiting, headache, palpitation and hypotension. These symptoms emerge approximately 10 minutes after alcohol ingestion and may last for several hours. The aversive reaction can be fatal due to hypotension [42,43] and, as such, this approach requires a clear commitment to total abstinence and patient education about covert forms of alcohol (e.g., mouthwash) to be avoided and duration of drug effects (up to 2 weeks after the last dose of disulfiram). The treatment starts, at least 12 hours after the last alcoholic drink at varying initial doses up to 500 mg/day for 1–2 weeks, after which the dose may be adjusted between 125 and 500 mg/day (average 250 mg/day) based on the severity of adverse effect [42].

The trial results for disulfiram are more mixed compared to naltrexone or acamprosate. In a 2014 meta-analysis (n=492), disulfiram was equivalent to placebo in return to any drinking or other primary outcome endpoints although none of the trials evaluated disulfiram efficacy under supervised treatment settings [27]. Earlier studies including one of US veterans (n=605) in a multicenter RCT for 52 weeks disulfiram also showed that disulfiram was not superior to placebo for abstinent days or time to first drink [44]. However, subgroup analysis in this study found that disulfiram reduced total drinking days. When disulfiram is taken routinely under supervised conditions, such as in a 12-week supervised head-to-head trial comparing disulfiram, naltrexone and acamprosate (n=243), disulfiram had a more significant reduction in heavy drinking days and longer abstinence periods [45]. This benefit faded with subsequent unsupervised treatment up to 52 weeks. In general, with proper supervision, disulfiram may benefit some AUD patients. When taken as directed without alcohol use, it is well tolerated. Common side effects of fatigue, drowsiness and headache typically self-resolve. Rare but serious side effects of hepatotoxicity and psychosis should be monitored with routine follow up and liver enzyme monitoring.

Topiramate

Topiramate is an off-label agent for AUD. Its on-label indications are for seizure, migraine and obesity. If the patient has these comorbidities, topiramate is worth considering. Its main anti-AUD effects are mediated by the dampening of glutamate receptor activity and potentiation of inhibitory GABA-A receptor activity [46]. It is typically started at a low dose of 25 mg/day and slowly titrated up over several weeks to avoid side effects such as cognitive impairment and sedation. The maximum dose is 150 mg twice daily. A 2014 meta-analysis of topiramate vs placebo (n=691) resulted in a decrease in alcohol consumption [27], and other meta-analysis in the same year (n=1125) across 7 RCTs showed benefit for abstinence and heavy drinking [47]. Another large 2017 meta-analysis also found a reduction in total alcohol consumption with topiramate [48]. Adverse effects of topiramate include cognitive impairment, paresthesias, anorexia, fatigue, headache, drowsiness and depression.

Gabapentin

Gabapentin is another antiepileptic medication used off-label for AUD [49]. Its on-label indications are seizure and neuropathic pain. AUD patients for which gabapentin should be considered are those with comorbid neuropathy (typically alcoholic neuropathy or even diabetic neuropathy). It inhibits excitatory calcium channels and potentiates inhibitory GABA-B receptors. In a 12-week RCT involving recently abstinent alcohol dependent outpatients (n=150), gabapentin was found to increase abstinence rates without serious adverse side effects [50]. Gabapentin in combination with naltrexone was found to exhibit additive effects compared to naltrexone alone [51]. Doses of 900 and 1800 mg/day have been studied. Low-to-moderate doses (300–900 mg/day) are generally well tolerated while higher doses (1800 mg/day) can cause sedation and dizziness. Gabapentin is primarily cleared through renal excretion, and as such, monitoring renal function, including a baseline level, is appropriate. Gabapentin also has the potential for misuse or abuse [52] that warrants monitoring.

Baclofen

Baclofen is a GABA-B receptor agonist approved for spasticity treatment. Baclofen’s efficacy for alcohol dependence has been more mixed than topiramate or gabapentin. Baclofen study doses range from 20 to 60 mg. Two RCTs (n=84, n=39) found baclofen to be associated with higher rates of abstinence compared to placebo [53,54]; whereas, another RCT (n=80) found no difference compared to placebo [55]. Baclofen was well tolerated in these studies without evidence of abuse or serious adverse effects. Adverse effects include nausea, vertigo and sleepiness. More serious side effects are hepatotoxicity, encephalopathy and hyperammonemia. Studies have also investigated high-dose baclofen (180–270 mg/day). However, the results varied and did not consistently demonstrate superior anti-AUD efficacy [56–58]. High-dose baclofen also runs the risk of sedation and additive CNS depressant effects when consumed together with alcohol.

Nalmefene

Nalmefene is not available in the US but is approved for utilization in the EU for AUD. It is an opioid antagonist similar to naltrexone, but theoretically lasts longer, has greater bioavailability and no observed dose-dependent hepatotoxicity. A 2014 meta-analysis of three RCTs (combined n=608) demonstrated anti-AUD benefit using targeted dosing strategy (i.e., taken as needed before high-risk pro-drinking situations) [27]. One of the included trials (n=403) showed greater reduction of heavy drinking days with nalmefene compared to placebo (44 vs 32%) [59]. However, another subsequent 2015 meta-analysis of harm and benefit of nalmefene compared to placebo concluded that nalmefene has limited efficacy for alcohol consumption [60]. There are calls for post-approval randomized comparative studies and to even consider withdrawal of the AUD-treatment indication in Europe [61]. Common adverse effects of nalmefene are nausea, insomnia, fatigue and dizziness. A rare, but possible risk of psychosis and dissociation exists and warrants monitoring.

Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid

Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter in the human brain that acts as an antagonist at GHB, GABA-B and GABA-A receptors [62]. It is on-label in the US and several European countries for the treatment of narcolepsy. It has been approved in Italy and Austria for relapse prevention in alcohol dependence and alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Only one double-blind RCT (n=82) has been conducted comparing 50 mg/kg/day of GHB with placebo in an outpatient setting of alcohol-dependent patients [63]. After 12 weeks, more patients in the treatment group were abstinent (31 vs 6%) or had reduced their drinking (42 vs 17%) as compared to the placebo group. A 2010 Cochrane review, including the double-blind RCT and several open-label trials comparing GHB with naltrexone and disulfiram concluded that, in the medium term (3–12 months), GHB appears favorable to naltrexone and disulfiram both in maintaining abstinence and preventing a craving based on a small amount of randomized evidence [64]. Vertigo and dizziness were the most frequently reported adverse reactions in these trials. The main concern with GHB is the potential for abuse and diversion, as well as potential craving for this drug. Consequently, it should be used with caution and careful monitoring.

Varenicline

Varenicline affects the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the ventral tegmental area, specifically acting as a partial agonist at α4β2 and a full agonist at α7. It is approved for nicotine dependence in the US. It is unclear how this medication affects symptoms of AUD. However, studies have found evidence that varenicline modifies dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens [65]. A multisite RCT (n=200) found evidence to support the utilization of varenicline for reducing alcohol consumption and craving in patients with AUD [66]. The trial has found that varenicline is generally well tolerated with mild adverse effects, the most common of which are nausea, abnormal dreams and constipation. There have been case reports of new-onset or worsening psychiatric symptoms with varenicline use. Consequently, patients should be carefully monitored, although the trials in AUD have not found these effects. Patients with AUD for which varenicline should be considered are those with comorbid nicotine dependence. The target dose is 1 mg twice daily titrated from 0.5 mg/day over a week.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants may be considered for individuals with comorbid psychiatric disorders. A meta-analysis of seven RCTs showed that the SSRIs adequately treat individuals with AUD and depression [67], while another meta-analysis showed that SSRIs were not more effective than placebo in treating AUD with comorbid depression [68]. Those with comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may benefit from sertraline, particularly those with less severe AUD and early onset PTSD [69]. In a small study of participants (n=35) with comorbid AUD and major depressive disorder comparing the combination of escitalopram and aripiprazole to aripiprazole alone, Han et al. found that the combination was more effective at decreasing depressive symptoms and craving for alcohol [70].

Ondansetron

Ondansetron is an anti-nausea agent that selectively blocks serotonin 5-HT3 receptors. Patients with early-onset alcohol dependence, defined as onset of problematic drinking at or before age 25, tend to respond favorably to ondansetron at 4 μg twice daily [71–73]. In a RCT of male participants ages 18–60 years of age (n=102), 16 mg daily of ondansetron was superior to placebo in decreasing the proportion of heavy drinking days in the imputed sample but not in increasing proportion of abstinent days [74]. Because the dose range used in these studies has been broad, the optimal dosage is unknown. Ondansetron can be dosed twice daily. Major adverse effects are diarrhea, headache and fever. Dose-dependent QT prolongation may occur and, as such, electrocardiograph (EKG) monitoring and screening for underlying cardiac conditions are warranted.

Combining pharmacotherapy

Combining medications that utilize different therapeutic mechanisms of action may be essential for patients with inadequate response to monotherapy. There is again a paucity of data for this approach and clinical judgment weighing the risks and benefits is needed. Studied combinations include (1) naltrexone and acamprosate, (2) naltrexone and ondansetron, and (3) naltrexone and sertraline. Two trials examining the combination of oral naltrexone and acamprosate showed mixed results. In one study (n=160), the combination led to fewer relapses and longer time to first drink compared to acamprosate monotherapy but not compared to naltrexone monotherapy [75]. The COMBINE study did not find any advantage of this combination over either monotherapy or placebo [7]. The combination of ondansetron and naltrexone for early-onset AUD led to reduced drinking compared to placebo. However, the combination was not compared to monotherapy of either drug [76]. A combination of naltrexone and sertraline has been shown to be more effective than naltrexone or sertraline monotherapy for maintaining abstinence in AUD patients with depression [77]. However, this combination was not shown to be superior to naltrexone in AUD patients without comorbid depression [78].

Consideration of psychiatric comorbidity

AUD is highly comorbid with other psychiatric disorders. In patients with AUD, comorbid mood and anxiety disorders are common, as are comorbid schizophrenia and PTSD [3,79–81]. Failure to adequately address the comorbid psychiatric diagnosis leads to higher rates of adverse clinical outcome. For example, in patients with comorbid bipolar disorder and AUD, alcohol use increases the risk of suicide attempts, hospitalization and crime rates [82,83]. It is therefore important that clinicians have a high index of suspicion for psychiatric comorbidity.

Pharmacotherapy and psychosocial intervention are still the treatment of choice in managing comorbid psychiatric disorder and AUD. There are three different models of treating psychiatric patients with co-occurring AUD: sequential, parallel and integrated [84]. In sequential treatment, the more acute disorder is treated first, followed by the less acute comorbid disorder. This has historically been the norm of clinical practice. Moreover, in this model, AUD-specific treatment is often prioritized because pharmacotherapy targeting the comorbid psychiatric disorder first is often considered ineffective for individuals who are drinking heavily. In parallel treatment, both disorders are treated simultaneously by two different clinicians/teams of clinicians. Moreover, in integrated treatment, both disorders are treated simultaneously but by a single clinician/team of clinicians. There is increasing consensus that fully integrated care is preferred to parallel or sequential treatment in addressing both diagnoses and reducing arrest or hospitalization rates [85–88]. If there are community and/or healthcare system barriers to a fully integrated care, clinicians may choose an approach from available resources.

In choosing pharmacotherapy, one should consider efficacy and safety data, but with the awareness that the evidence base is much weaker in this population as research into AUD medications have historically excluded psychiatric comorbidities. A thorough discussion of efficacy and safety data is outside the scope of this paper, but a few notable findings are worth highlighting. For patients with AUD and depressive disorders, SSRIs may be effective for AUD as well as for the depression [67,68]. For patients with AUD and PTSD, sertraline may be of benefit in combination with behavioral intervention [89]. In patients with AUD and bipolar disorder, utilization of both lithium and divalproex compared to lithium alone has demonstrated efficacy for both symptoms of bipolar disorder and drinking outcomes [90].

Additional considerations when selecting medications for dually diagnosed patients are overlapping indications with co-morbid substance use disorder, side effects, drug–drug interactions, adherence and capacity to follow directions. Disulfiram, for example, should be used more carefully owing to the risk of psychosis, impulsivity and cognitive impairment. Topiramate, as well, is best avoided in patients with schizophrenia owing to its cognitive side effects. Intramuscular depot naltrexone should be given high priority for patients with serious chronic mental illness owing to high rates of nonadherence. Indeed, the treatment of dually diagnosed patients is complex and requires thoughtful consideration of risk–benefit ratio across a multitude of clinical and pharmacological factors. For particularly challenging cases, clinicians should consider referral to addiction specialists.

Consideration of teratogenicity

Patients with AUD who are or become pregnant require careful consideration of the risks and benefits of treatment compared with nontreatment to both mother and fetus. Safety profiles in pregnancy are not well established for AUD medications owing to lack of adequate studies. Careful review of available data regarding harmful effects to the fetus and babies (through possible breast milk secretion) and risk–benefit discussion with the patient is essential. When available, a referral to or a consultation with a reproductive medicine specialist is most appropriate.

Combining medications with psychosocial treatments

There are no clinical trials comparing pharmacotherapy to psychosocial treatments for AUD. There is a lack of evidence to support ‘pairing’ of a particular pharmacotherapy with a specific psychosocial intervention. The COMBINE Study did not find either medication combined with psychosocial treatment (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT], 12-step facilitation, motivational interviewing, etc.) to be superior to either medication monotherapy or psychosocial intervention without any medication [7]. We suggest offering any evidence-based psychosocial intervention available without necessarily attempting to pair it with a particular pharmacotherapy.

Future directions: personalized medicine

As in other medical and psychiatric disorders, personalized medicine is gaining momentum as the future direction of patient care. It is well established that AUD is a heterogeneous disorder owing to the complex interaction of an individual’s genetic makeup and environmental stress, which manifests in a wide spectrum of severity in drinking patterns, motivation for drinking, alcohol-related adverse consequences, and co-occurring psychiatric or substance use disorders [91,92]. It is, then, no surprise that we do not have one treatment that uniformly demonstrates effectiveness for every AUD patient. Research studies into personalized approaches to AUD consider genetic variations, epigenetic modifications, symptom clusters and brain imaging to tailor treatments to the idiosyncrasies of the individual patient. More research is needed, however, before this approach can be made widely available.

Summary and concluding remarks

Pharmacotherapy is necessary despite the availability of effective psychosocial treatment options owing to high relapse rates with psychosocial intervention alone. Pharmacotherapy alters the reinforcing effects of alcohol and understanding of AUD neurobiology is useful for informed prescribing practice. Goals of treatment are either abstinence or reduction of heavy drinking (i.e., harm reduction) and both options have benefits. Moderate-to-severe AUD patients should be offered pharmacotherapy in addition to evidence-based psychosocial treatment. Any evidence-based psychosocial intervention may be offered and does not need to be paired with a specific drug treatment. Naltrexone and acamprosate are recommended for initial consideration. Depot formulation is available for naltrexone to improve adherence. Naltrexone is contraindicated for those with severe liver disease or with concurrent opioid use; acamprosate is recommended for individuals with a contraindication to naltrexone. Disulfiram should be reserved for those with high motivation to maintain abstinence and are willing to undertake supervised prescription. Off-label agents should be considered when on-label medications are ineffective, not tolerated, or contraindicated. For all medications, informed consent and careful consideration of comorbid medical and psychiatric diagnoses are critical to improve clinical outcome. Given the heterogeneity of the illness, tailoring treatment to the individual patient’s unique history, makeup and symptomatology is important and will continue to gain momentum as the standard of care for clinical practice.

Pharmacotherapy for AUD is effective, cost-efficient and evidence-based. As there is no sweeping panacea for this heterogeneous and difficult-to-treat disorder, clinicians should have multiple treatment methods available in their toolbox to improve health outcomes. Expanding patient access to pharmacotherapeutic options is one such way that has the potential to be helpful for this population with unmet requirements.