Antabuse

For anyone who suffers from cravings for alcohol or alcoholism, there are drug treatments available that have received approval by the FDA. For example, some options include Acamprosate (Campral), Naltrexone (Revia and Depade) and Disulfiram (Antabuse). You will need to obtain a prescription to take any of these drugs, which are used to help you if you have already quit drinking and want to ensure abstinence.

The drugs work by producing a severe reaction when you drink alcohol or by removing the pleasure you gain when drinking. Although the United States has offered various drug treatments for a long time, they are even more popular in Europe. Tests that involve long-term use of the drugs reveal a high rate of abstinence for anyone who is a chronic alcoholic.

However, you need to stop drinking completely in order to enjoy maximum benefit from any of the aforementioned drugs. You should use various recovery aids such as prescription drugs to help you combat your alcohol problem, just as you would treat any other type of serious disease. Other drugs may be prescribed to help you treat liver diseases or pancreatitis, which can be result from alcohol abuse.

You will also need to visit your doctor if you are an alcoholic who wishes to stop drinking and needs prescription drugs to help you through the process. You may also wish to obtain prescription vitamins. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can deplete your body of various nutrients. Therefore, you may feel healthier if you address such vitamin deficiencies.

Disulfiram, also known as Antabuse, was the first approved drug used to treat alcoholism. It works by becoming a deterrent to excessive drinking when you take the pill form. If you decide to drink alcohol when taking Antabuse, you may suffer vertigo, nausea, sweating or vomiting. Other possible severe reactions include heart failure, death or depressed respiration. Therefore, you need to weigh the risks before deciding to take the drug.

Naltrexone is another drug that is available with the brand name Depade and Revia. Vivitrol is another version of the drug that is sold as an extended-release pill. It lowers the cravings that you may suffer when you quit drinking alcohol. Yet another option is a drug called Naltrexone, which can be taken via an injection or in pill form, with an implant form pending approval.

In 2004, the FDA also approved another drug called Acamprosate, which is sold under the brand name Campral. The drug works by reducing the physical symptoms such as anxiety, sweating and sleeplessness that you may experience when you decide to quit drinking.

Normally, you will take Campral three times daily, which is more often than the other two drug options. The good news is that you will suffer fewer and less severe side effects, which can include dry mouth, nausea, diarrhea and sweating. Possible severe reactions include anxiety, suicidal thoughts or chest pain. If you suffer any of the latter, be sure to talk to your doctor.

Fortunately, there are many more drug treatments currently available that can help you less withdrawal symptoms than previous options. If you are an alcoholic who wishes to quit drinking and lead a healthier lifestyle, you should consider joining a support group and obtaining a prescription from your doctor.