Aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors as alcohol-sensitizing drugs: a pharmacological perspective

Abstract

The aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors, disulfiram and calcium carbimide, have been available for at least three decades for adjunctive use in the treatment of alcoholism but have not received widespread acceptance. James F. Brien and Christopher W. Loomis discuss the role of alcohol-sensitizing drugs as pharmacological and psychological deterrents, in the treatment of alcoholism. They also examine the action of three new hepatic aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors, including methyltetrazolethiol, a selective inhibitor of hepatic low- K m aldehyde dehydrogenase with rapid onset, long duration of enzyme inhibition and high therapeutic index. They maintain that this type of inhibitor could represent a significant advance in the adjunctive pharmacotherapy of alcoholism.