ICL 8.7: Psychopharmacology of Substance Use Disorders Flashcards
what are the 3 broad objectives of pharmacological agents used for withdrawal?
- detoxification: management of acute withdrawal syndromes through detoxification
benzodiazepines in alcohol use disorders and benzodiazepine use disorders
methadone or buprenorphine in opioid use disorders
- initial recovery: attenuation of cravings and urges to use illicit drugs
- prevention of relapse to compulsive drug use
which 3 medications are FDA approved for alcohol withdrawal disorder treatment?
- disulfiram (antabuse)
- naltrexone (revia, vivitrol)
- acamprosate (campral)
what is the MOA of disulfiram?
antabuse blocks aldehyde dehydrogenase in the liver
it’s used to treat alcohol withdrawal
what is disulfiram used for?
it’s used to treat alcohol withdrawal
it causes an aversion to alcohol by causing flushing, nausea/vomiting, headache, palpitation, SOB –> this is because it blocks aldehyde dehydrogenase in the liver so alcohol doesn’t get broken down and the person essentially gets a hangover
best used in highly motivated patients; the goal is complete abstinence*!
what are the side effects of disulfiram?
it’s contraindicated in severe cardiac disease, pregnancy and psychosis
↑ acetylaldehyde buildup leads to nausea, vomiting, hypertension, death), can be triggered by small amounts of alcohol present in household products
you should also monitor liver function; check LFTs before and yearly
what is the MOA of naltrexone?
revia/vivitrol is a opiate mu receptor antagonist (OPRM1 gene)
this interrupts the reward pathway and the goal is relapse prevention
what is naltrexone used for?
treatment of alcohol withdraw by interrupting the reward pathway and decreasing the desire/craving
the goal is relapse prevention = reduce drinking, prevent cravings
what are the side effects of naltrexone?
revia/vivitrol can cause:
- GI upset
- headaches
- fatigue
be careful giving it to patients with chronic pain on opioid therapy
what are the precautions you have to take with naltrexone?
ensure OK LFTs (GGT, AST, ALT, bili)
IM vivitrol bypasses first pass metabolism; so you must have zero opioids for 7-10 days prior to injection otherwise will precipitate withdrawal
what is the MOA of acamprosate?
campral is a glutamate antagonists so so it modulates the overactive glutamatergic brain activity that happens after stopping heavy chronic alcohol use
it’s used to treat alcohol withdrawal and the goal is relapse prevention
what is acamprosate used for?
alcohol withdrawal with the goal of relapse prevention = reduce drinking, prevent cravings
continue this medication even if there is a relapse on alcohol!
what are the side effects of acamprosate?
- diarrhea
- fatigue
- depression
also ensure that there are no hepatic issues
which off label medications are used for alcohol withdrawal disorder?
- topiramate (topamax)
- baclofen (lioresel)
- gabapentin (neurontin)
- ondansetron (zofran)
what are the characteristics of topiramate? what’s its MOA?
GABA mediated neuronal inhibition and antagonizes certain glutamate receptor subtypes
indicated for migraines, seizures (also binge eating disorder, alcohol use disorder, and a strategy to mitigate psych-med induced weight gain) –> used off label to treat alcohol withdrawal
reduces cravings
what are the side effects of topiramate?
- impaired memory/concentration
- paresthesia
- decreased appetite/weight loss
what is the MOA of baclofen? what’s it used for?
GABA-b receptor agonist approved for treating spasticity –> used off label to treat alcohol withdrawal
helps with obsessive cravings, anxiety
what are the side effects of baclofen?
- nausea
- fatigue
- sleepiness
- vertigo
- abdominal pain
it’s eliminated by kidneys so do baseline labs prior to starting