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Drugs for alcohol dependence
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
Alcoholism is a serious problem, both for the drinker and for his relatives. Treatment of this problem should be comprehensive: for example, drugs for alcohol addiction in combination with psychotherapeutic influence.
Nowadays, any pharmacist can offer a lot of different medications that relieve people from the destructive craving for alcohol. However, not every medication is suitable: the choice of therapy depends on the individual characteristics of the body, the stage of alcoholism, and the presence of concomitant diseases in the patient.
Indications for the use of drugs for alcohol addiction
Medicines for alcohol addiction can be divided according to the direction of their action:
- pills that relieve hangover symptoms;
- tablets that eliminate excessive cravings for alcoholic beverages;
- tablets that cause aversion to alcoholic beverages.
In addition to alcohol addiction itself, the proposed medications may be prescribed:
- to eliminate negative symptoms after drinking alcohol;
- to curb cravings for alcoholic beverages;
- to normalize the psyche;
- to eliminate intoxication;
- to restore the body.
Read also:
Names of drugs for alcohol addiction
Teturam |
Esperal |
Proproten 100 |
|
Pharmacodynamics |
Tablets for alcohol addiction that change the processes of ethyl alcohol metabolism in the body. |
A medication based on disulfiram, a substance that takes part in the metabolism of ethanol. |
The drug contains purified antibodies to the brain-specific protein S 100. Reduces the desire to drink, prevents relapses. |
Pharmacokinetics |
The maximum level of the drug in the blood is observed 4 hours after taking the dose and remains for 3 days. |
It is absorbed quickly, in an amount of about 80%. |
Not studied. |
Using Alcohol Detox Pills During Pregnancy |
Strictly contraindicated. |
Strictly contraindicated. |
Not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding. |
Contraindications for use |
Severe pathologies of the heart, liver, blood vessels, endocrine system, mental disorders, pregnancy. You should not drink alcohol for 24 hours after taking the drug. |
Liver disease, endocrine disorders, mental disorders, pregnancy and breastfeeding, tendency to allergies. |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, tendency to allergies. |
Side effects |
Taste disturbances, headache, allergies, heart pain. |
Changes in taste sensations, polyneuritis, memory impairment, allergies, headaches, arrhythmia, psychosis. |
Short-term sensation of double vision, allergy. |
Method of administration and dosage of tablets for alcohol addiction |
Take from 125 to 500 mg per day, as prescribed by a doctor. Duration of treatment is from seven to ten days. |
Take 250-500 mg once a day in the morning during breakfast. Long-term use of a maintenance dose of the drug is possible. |
Take 1 tablet under the tongue 20 minutes before meals. |
Overdose |
Loss of consciousness, coma, nervous system disorders. |
Disorder of consciousness, neuroses. |
Dyspepsia (diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain). |
Interactions with other drugs |
Drugs that are undesirable for combined use with Teturam: Isoniazid, nitroimidazoles, Phenytoin. |
When using Esperal and alcoholic beverages, vomiting, arrhythmia, reddening of the skin, and sweating are observed. |
No adverse interactions were observed. |
Storage conditions |
Under normal conditions, out of reach of children. |
At temperatures up to +25°C, out of reach of children. |
In a dry place with a temperature of up to +25°C. |
Best before date |
Up to 4 years. |
Up to 3 years. |
Up to 3 years. |
Is it possible to use pills for alcohol addiction without the patient’s knowledge?
It is no secret that recovery from alcohol addiction is considered more effective if the patient himself wants to get rid of his problem. But, unfortunately, this is not always the case, and close people have to come up with all sorts of ways to cure a person without his knowledge. Indeed, some medications can be used secretly, adding them to first courses or drinks, and the drinker will not guess about it at first. However, often, sooner or later, the patient notices changes in his attitude to alcohol, and "the secret becomes clear." It is good if the idea of giving up alcohol is perceived adequately by him. But there are often cases of scandals and even divorces that occur on the basis of deception, and it does not matter that this lie was "for the good."
And yet, what drugs are most often used without the knowledge of the drinker?
- Teturam is an inexpensive and high-quality tablet for alcohol addiction, which causes unpleasant symptoms after drinking alcohol. Thus, after taking another dose of alcohol, the patient may experience a gag reflex, increased heart rate, etc. With constant use of tablets, a persistent aversion to alcoholic beverages is formed. The main disadvantage of this medication is that after the end of treatment, the craving for alcohol may resume.
- Lidevin is a drug that converts alcohol into a toxic substance for the body - acetaldehyde. As a result of taking it, the patient experiences a feeling of alcohol poisoning. Additional ingredients included in the drug - vitamins - support the body and promote its rapid recovery.
- Kolme is probably the most popular drug at the moment. Kolme is non-toxic, has no harmful effect on the body, and at the same time is very effective. The only drawback of this drug is its relatively high cost.
When choosing tablets, it is recommended to first consult a doctor, since each drug has a number of contraindications and side effects.
Are alcohol addiction medications available without a prescription?
Despite the fact that many pills for alcohol addiction are sold in pharmacies without a mandatory prescription, they should still be prescribed by a doctor. An incorrectly prescribed drug or an incorrectly calculated dosage can play a cruel joke: relapses may become more frequent or complications may arise.
Most over-the-counter medications are used in the early stages of alcoholism. They help cleanse the body of accumulated toxic substances and cause aversion to ethyl alcohol. General treatment for alcohol addiction should be comprehensive and long-term, including physiotherapy and psychological assistance.
We offer you a short list of the main drugs that can be purchased without a doctor's prescription:
- Disulfiram and other tablets based on it provoke the development of intoxication syndrome, which forces the patient to give up alcohol;
- Glycine - tablets that stabilize brain activity, reduce cravings for alcohol, and improve mood;
- Medichronal is a drug that eliminates the negative effects of a hangover and reduces chronic cravings for alcoholic beverages;
- Proproten is a homeopathic remedy that exhibits antidepressant properties;
- Coprinol is an anti-hangover remedy that increases metabolism in the cellular structures of the brain;
- Barrier is a product that improves metabolic processes, cleanses the body of ethyl alcohol breakdown products, and prevents prolonged binges;
- Naltrexone is a drug for the complex treatment of alcohol addiction;
- Alcofinal is a medicine for the treatment of chronic alcoholism.
If problems related to alcohol addiction arise, it is recommended not to make hasty decisions and to consult a narcologist or a special rehabilitation clinic. Only a competent specialist can adequately assess the patient's condition and prescribe the right pills for alcohol addiction.
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Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Drugs for alcohol dependence" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.