Use of antiepileptics in addictions

Abstract

The drug properties of antiepileptics as glutamatergic and gabaergic system modulators indicate their potential utility in the treatment of addictive disorders. Their clinical efficacy has been widely studied in the treatment of detoxication of alcohol and benzodiazepine. Furthermore, different studies support their utility in the prevention of relapses in alcohol consumption. In regards to other addictions, up to now studies have onlybeen conducted with small samples and different methodologies. Thus, the data are less consistent and do not make it possible to rule out the fact that these drugs may also contribute benefits as coadjuvant treatment in other addictive disorders. In addition, the new antiepileptics offer relevant advantages, especially in regards to their tolerability. The drugs that are currently available include a wide spectrum of pharmacodynamic actions. Therefore, advance in the knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the addiction will help to design more selective strategies in the use of antiepileptics based on their specific action mechanisms.