Aripiprazole for relapse prevention and craving in alcohol use disorder: current evidence and future perspectives

作者：Martinotti Giovanni; Orsolini Laura^*; Fornaro Michele; Vecchiotti Roberta; De Berardis Domenico; Iasevoli Felice; Torrens Marta; Di Giannantonio Massimo

来源：Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs, 2016, 25(6): 719-728.

DOI：10.1080/13543784.2016.1175431

• Alcohol
• alcohol dependence
• alcohol addiction
• aripiprazole
• craving
• alcohol use disorder

Introduction: Among other approaches, the modulation of the dopaminergic pathway has been advocated in the therapeutic management of Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD). A potential avenue toward the modulation of the dopaminergic pathway across varying substance disorders seems to be provided by aripiprazole, a second-generation antipsychotic characterized by a peculiar pharmacodynamics signature.
Areas covered: In this review, the authors provided a qualitative synthesis and a critical perspective on the efficacy of aripiprazole in relapse prevention and craving in AUD. A systematic search was carried out through MEDLINE/Embase/PsycINFO/Cochrane Library from inception until September 2015, combining free terms and MESH headings for the topics of AUD and aripiprazole as following: (((Alcohol use Disorder) OR (Alcohol use)) AND aripiprazole).
Expert opinion: Based both on a qualitative synthesis and a critical interpretation of the evidence, the authors submit that aripiprazole would promote alcohol abstinence and reduce the alcohol seeking behaviour possibly via dopaminergic and serotoninergic modulations at the fronto-subcortical circuits underpinning alcohol reward and craving, impulsive behaviour as well as reduce alcohol-related anxiety/low mood and anhedonia. However, due to the lack of published studies, a conclusive statement about any direct effect of aripiprazole in the prevention of craving and/or alcohol consumption is not possible.

• 出版日期2016