Which medications treat alcoholism?

Answer 1

There are no medications that will cure alcoholism. There is a medication called Antabuse that causes a violent reaction when mixed with alcohol. It will make the person throw up forcefully. It is supposed to be a deterrent to drinking alcohol. The problem with it is that the person must voluntarily take the medication, and it doesn't help with the desire to drink alcohol.

Answer 2

A range of medications is used to treat alcoholism. Benzodiazepines (Valium® , Librium®) are sometimes used during the first days after a person stops drinking to help him or her safely withdraw from alcohol. These medications are not used beyond the first few days, however, because they may be highly addictive. Other medications help people remain sober. One medication used for this purpose is naltrexone (ReVia™). When combined with counseling naltrexone can reduce the craving for alcohol and help prevent a person from returning, or relapsing, to heavy drinking. Another medication, disulfiram (Antabuse®), discourages drinking by making the person feel sick if he or she drinks alcohol.

Through several medications help treat alcoholism, there is no "magic bullet." In other words, no single medication is available that works in every case and/or in every person. Developing new and more effective medications to treat alcoholism remains a high priority for researchers. (See also "News Releases," Jan. 17, 1995: Naltrexone Approved for Alcoholism Treatment and "Publication," Alcohol Alert No. 33: Neuroscience Research and Medications Development.)

Answer 3

Antabuse is used in the treatment and management of alcoholism. ReVia is used to treat both alcohol and narcotics abuse. Depending on the severity of the addiction, valium may also be used on a short-term basis.

Answer 4

brandy