Abstract
Relapses into alcoholism are becoming more frequent even after long-term psychotherapy and social therapy. Previous evidence-based pharmacotherapy was limited to administration of acamprosate and the opioid antagonist naltrexone. Both forms of therapy have not become well established in Germany. The European Medicine Agency (EMA) has now approved a further opioid antagonist, nalmefene which is an antagonist of the µ-opioid receptor just as naltrexon and is also a partial agonist of kappa receptors. The preclinical and clinical investigations carried out with nalmefene are presented. It seems to be interesting that in the therapy studies relevant to approval, nalmefene was not administered for support of abstinence but as an"as needed"medication for reduction of drink volume.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
