Emerging drugs in phase II and III clinical development for the treatment of alcohol use disorder.
Sophie Köhne, Thomas Hillemacher, Alexander Glahn, Patrick Bach
Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs September 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2024.2342951 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | disulfiram naltrexone nalmefene acamprosat baclofen sodium oxybate doxazosin varenicline zonisamide gabapentin apremilast ibudilast ivermectin tolcapone mifepristone suvorexant ketamine psilocybin semaglutide oxytocin cannabidiol |
| Topics | Addiction |
| Keywords | Alcohol addiction Emerging drugs Off-label Pharmacological treatment Phase ii development Phase iii development Emerging treatments Clinical trials Addiction medicine Substance abuse therapy |
| Citations | 16 |
| Key findings | Most discussed compounds lack sufficient evidence for efficacy, but multiple promising new treatment options for AUD are currently under investigation. |
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) poses an ongoing significant global health burden. AUD is highly prevalent and affects not only the individuals with AUD, but also their communities and society at large. Even though pharmacotherapy is an integral part of AUD treatment, the few available substances show limited efficacy and limited clinical impact. Thus, there is a need for new innovative pharmacotherapeutic approaches. This paper provides a comprehensive review of drugs approved for the treatment of AUD as well as those currently in phase II and III development. Data from recent clinical trials has been reviewed and supplemented by additional literature based on a systematic search of the PubMed database and clinical trials registries. Compounds discussed include disulfiram, naltrexone, nalmefene, acamprosat, baclofen, sodium oxybate, doxazosin, varenicline, zonisamide, gabapentin, apremilast, ibudilast, ivermectin, tolcapone, mifepristone, suvorexant, ketamine, psilocybin, semaglutide, oxytocin and cannabidiol. Even though the majority of the discussed compounds lack sufficient evidence to support their efficacy, multiple promising new treatment options are currently under investigation. Future research has to consider specific phenotypes and subgroups of AUD as well as a possible enhancement of the effects of psychotherapy through combination with pharmacotherapy. Practitioners should be encouraged to use available compounds to support existing therapeutic regimens.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. General population | 2019 | Integrative review | |
| Mindfulness meditation–based pain relief: a mechanistic account | 2016 | Review | |
| Psychedelics as anti-inflammatory agents Animal models and cellular studies | 2018 | Review | |
| A narrative review of yoga and mindfulness as complementary therapies for addiction. | 2013 | Review | |
| The neuropsychopharmacology of cannabis: A review of human imaging studies | 2018 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Expanding the Therapeutic Horizons of Psilocybin in Mental Health ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters October 15, 2024
- Pharmacological interventions for alcohol use disorder: novel insights from recent clinical trials. Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology February 3, 2026
- Psychedelics for the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: A Narrative Review of the Literature. Substance use & addiction journal 2026
- Psychedelics for the Treatment of Substance Use Disorder Pharmaceutical Science October 13, 2025
Cites 10
- Percentage of Heavy Drinking Days Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy vs Placebo in the Treatment of Adult Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder JAMA Psychiatry August 24, 2022
- Efficacy, tolerability, and safety of serotonergic psychedelics for the management of mood, anxiety, and substance-use disorders: a systematic review of systematic reviews Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology August 13, 2018
- Therapeutic effect of psilocybin in addiction: A systematic review Frontiers in Psychiatry February 9, 2023
- Psilocybin for treating substance use disorders? Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics August 10, 2016
- Therapeutic use of psilocybin: Practical considerations for dosing and administration Frontiers in Psychiatry December 1, 2022
and 5 more in the library