ACAMPROSATE IN ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE - HOW DOES IT WORK

Acamprosate is a relatively new drug that appears to be clinically use ful in the treatment of alcohol dependence. Although it has proved eff ective in reducing relapse into drinking in clinical trials its exact mechanism of action is uncertain. Evidence is presented that the drug does not act in any of the conventional ways to reduce alcohol intake and it is proposed that it may be a novel kind of agent that suppresse s ''craving''. On the basis of its known pharmacological effects in pr e-clinical studies it is suggested that acamprosate may reduce craving that is associated with conditioned withdrawal. In addition to the po tential therapeutic value of acamprosate, the drug may be useful becau se work directed toward understanding its mechanism of action may shed light on some of the fundamental processes that govern alcohol abuse and relapse in weaned alcohol dependent patients.