A Brief Up-Date of the Use of Sodium Oxybate for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder

Fabio Caputo, Teo Vignoli, Claudia Tarli, Marco Domenicali, Giorgio Zoli, Mauro Bernardi and Giovanni Addolorato
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Fabio Caputo: Department of Internal Medicine, SS Annunziata Hospital, Cento, Ferrara 44042, Italy
Teo Vignoli: Unit for Addiction Treatment, Department of Mental Health, Lugo, Ravenna 48022, Italy
Claudia Tarli: Alcohol Use Disorders Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Rome 00168, Italy
Marco Domenicali: “G. Fontana” Centre for the Study and Multidisciplinary Treatment of Alcohol Addiction, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna 40130, Italy
Giorgio Zoli: Department of Internal Medicine, SS Annunziata Hospital, Cento, Ferrara 44042, Italy
Mauro Bernardi: “G. Fontana” Centre for the Study and Multidisciplinary Treatment of Alcohol Addiction, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna 40130, Italy
Giovanni Addolorato: Alcohol Use Disorders Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Rome 00168, Italy

IJERPH, 2016, vol. 13, issue 3, 1-6

Abstract: The treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD) with sodium oxybate (SMO) or gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) was introduced in Italy and Austria more than 20 years and 15 years ago, respectively, and it is now widely employed to treat alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) and to maintain alcohol abstinence. These indications derive from its similar structure to the inhibitory neurotransmitter ?-amino-butyric acid (GABA), exerting an ethanol-mimicking effect, because it binds to GABA B receptors. Craving for, and abuse of, SMO remain a controversial issue; even though these unfavorable effects are evident in poly-drug addicted patients and in those with psychiatric diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. In addition, despite cases of severe intoxication and deaths being widely documented when GHB is used as “street drug”; its clinical use remains safe. Thus, the aim of the present review is to examine the role of SMO in the treatment of AUD, its possible implications in reducing alcohol consumption, and cases of abuse, and severe intoxication due to SMO during its clinical use in the treatment of AUD.

Keywords: alcohol use disorder; pharmacological treatment; sodium oxybate (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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