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Current Medicinal Chemistry

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 0929-8673
ISSN (Online): 1875-533X

Nalmefene: A Novel Drug for an Old Disorder

Author(s): Donatella Marazziti, Silvio Presta, Stefano Baroni, Francesco Mungai, Armando Piccinni, Federico Mucci and Liliana Dell'Osso

Volume 22, Issue 27, 2015

Page: [3162 - 3168] Pages: 7

DOI: 10.2174/0929867322666150821100538

Price: $65

Abstract

Alcoholism is an increasing problem all over the world, and nowadays especially amongst teenagers. Although several drug treatments have been proposed for this condition, only a few have demonstrated a significant efficacy. Nalmefene, a novel compound that combines opioids mu-receptors antagonism and kappa-receptors partial agonism, was recently approved by the European Medicine Agency for the treatment of alcoholism. This drug can be very helpful in reducing the alcohol intake, and, as such, it can be considered one of the first and fundamental steps towards alcohol abstinence. The aim of this review is to discuss and comment on the available literature on nalmefene, as well as on novel treatment strategies of this condition (and perhaps of other addictions) opened by this latest pharmacological approach.

Keywords: Alcoholism, pharmacological treatments, nalmefene, opioids, reward system.


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