Dispelling the Myths About Addiction: Strategies to Increase Understanding and Strengthen Research (1997)
Chapter: Appendix G
G Recent Advances in Pharmacotherapy
GENERAL ISSUES
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Creation of National Institute on Drug Abuse Medications Development Division to evaluate new treatments for opioid and cocaine addiction in animals and humans.
NICOTINE
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Food and Drug Administration focuses on nicotine as an addictive drug; characterization of tobacco withdrawal syndrome.
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Demonstration that nicotine replacement is an effective treatment modality for a small but significant population of smokers.
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Nicotine chewing gum and transdermal nicotine patches approved for over-the-counter sale in 1996; nicotine nasal spray approved for prescription use in 1996; advances in other preparations.
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Increased research on nicotine replacement therapies for extending nicotine abstinence and reducing craving.
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Development of precise and practical measurements of nicotine metabolites, thus allowing better characterization of drug intake, dependence, and treatment outcome.
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Demonstration that addicted smokers regulate intake of nicotine to maintain specific levels in the body.
OPIOIDS
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Approval of LAAM (levomethadyl acetate, Orlaam®) as 2 to 3 times per week treatment for opioid dependence.
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Evaluation of long-term methadone or LAAM therapy in reducing illicit opioid drug use in many patients.
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Evaluation of buprenorphine and other partial agonist compounds as safer replacements for methadone treatment.
STIMULANTS
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Evaluation of catalytic antibodies for degrading or inactivating cocaine.
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Expanded evaluation of selective dopamine, serotonin, and opioid agonists and antagonists for cocaine addiction.
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Expanded examination of the concept of agonist replacement strategies and specific medications.
ALCOHOL
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Naltrexone (ReVia™) approved for treatment of alcoholism in the United States.
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Acamprosate (Aotal®) approved for treatment of alcoholism in Europe, and gamma-hydroxybutyrate approved for treatment of alcoholism in Italy.
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Expanded research into use of serotonin reuptake inhibitors, opioid antagonists, serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, drug combinations, and other pharmacological treatments.
