Abstract
There are several problems with the drugs currently used to decrease alcohol consumption (i. e., alcohol-sensitizing drugs, such as disulfiram). Their efficacy is unproven, they are associated with toxicity, and there are several contraindications for use. New therapies are needed because alcohol-related problems affect almost 20% of the adult population. A new strategy was developed that involves attenuation of alcohol intake via serotonin uptake inhibitors.
Since several experiments showed that serotonin uptake inhibitors consistently attenuated ethanol intake in rats, we tested their effects in humans. In four randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies serotonin uptake inhibitors (zimelidine, Citalopram, viqualine, and fluoxetine) decreased total number of drinks consumed by early stage problem drinkers by an average of 20–30%. However, marked interindividual variations in the pattern of response to serotonin uptake inhibitors have been observed, and we have been unable to identify subject traits or drug factors that predict pattern of response. Effects on ethanol intake are distinct from the antidepressant properties of these drugs, and they are most likely due to facilitation of satiety signals. Because of these promising and consistent results, further testing in a therapeutic context is under way. Serotonin uptake inhibitors suggest an innovative approach for moderating ethanol intake in problem drinkers.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Naranjo CA, Cappell H, Sellers EM: Pharmacological control of alcohol consumption: Tactics for the identification and testing of new drugs. Addict Behav 6: 261–269, 1981.
Naranjo CA, Sellers EM, Lawrin MO: Modulation of ethanol intake by serotonin uptake inhibitors. J Clin Psychiatry 47(4): 16–22, 1986.
Sellers EM, Naranjo CA, Peachey JE: Drugs to decrease alcohol consumption. N Engl J Med 305: 1255–1262, 1981.
Peachey JE, Naranjo CA: The use of disulfiram and other alcohol-sensitizing drugs in the treatment of alcoholism, in Israel Y, Glaser FB, Kalant H, Popham RE, Schmidt W, Smart RE (eds): Research Advances in Alcohol and Drug Problems, Vol 7. New York, Plenum Press, 1983, pp 397–431.
Naranjo CA: Drug treatments for alcoholism: The need for innovation, in Naranjo CA, Sellers EM (eds.): Research Advances in New Psychopharmacological Treatments for Alcoholism. Amsterdam, Elsevier, 1985, pp 1–9.
Naranjo CA, Sellers EM, Sullivan JT, Woodley DV, Kadlec K, Sykora K: The serotonin uptake inhibitor Citalopram attenuates ethanol intake. Clin Pharmacol Ther 41: 266–274, 1987.
Naranjo CA, Sellers EM: Clinical trials for testing new drugs to decrease alcohol consumption, in Proceedings of the 10th International Congress of Pharmacology. Amsterdam, Elsevier, 1987, pp 737–740.
Edwards G: Drug treatments for drinking problems: Finding a way forward, in Edwards G, Littleton J (eds): Pharmacological Treatments for Alcoholism. New York, Methuen, 1984, pp 3–11.
Naranjo CA, Sellers EM: Research Advances in New Psychopharmacological Treatments for Alcoholism. Amsterdam, Elsevier, 1985.
Lawrin MO, Naranjo CA, Sellers EM: Identification and testing of new drugs for modulating alcohol consumption. Psychopharmacol Bull 22: 1020–1025, 1986.
Naranjo CA, Sullivan JT, Lawrin MO, Sellers EM: Strategies for the identification and testing of new pharmacological modulators of ethanol consumption, in Engel J, Oreland L, Ingvar DH, Pernow B, Rossner S, Pellborn LA (eds): Brain Reward Systems and Abuse. New York, Raven Press, 1987, pp 129–145.
Amit Z, Sutherland EA, Gill K, Ogren SO: Zimelidine: A review of its effects on ethanol consumption. Neurosci Behav Res 8: 35–54, 1984.
Naranjo CA, Sellers EM, Roach CA, Woodley DV, Sanchez-Craig M, Sykora K: Zimelidineinduced variations in alcohol intake by non-depressed heavy drinkers. Clin Pharmacol Ther 35: 374–381, 1984.
Fuller RK, Branchey L, Brightwell DR, Derman RM, Emrick CD, Iber FL, James KE, Lacoursiere RB, Lee KK, Lowenstam I, Maany I, Neiderhiser D, Nocks JJ, Shaw S: Disulfiram treatment of alcoholism. A Veteran’s Administration Cooperative Study. J Am Med Assoc 256: 1449–1455, 1986.
Naranjo CA, Sellers EM, Sullivan JT, Kadlec KE, Woodley DV, Kennedy G: Viqualine-induced attenuation of ethanol intake in early stage problem drinkers. Proc 10th Int Cong Pharmacol, Sydney, Australia, P785, 1987.
Naranjo CA, Lane D, Ho-Asjoe M, Lanctot K: A Bayesian approach for assessing toxicity to new drugs (D): Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and zimelidine (Z). Clin Pharmacol Ther 41: 185, 1987.
Heel RC, Morley PA, Brogden RN, Carmine AA, Speight TM, Avery GS: Zimelidine: A review of its pharmacologic properties and therapeutic efficacy in depressive illness. Drugs 24: 169–206, 1982.
Hyttel J: Citalopram, pharmacological profile of a specific serotonin uptake inhibitor with antidepressant activity. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 6: 277–295, 1982.
Hyttel J, Larsen JJ: Neuropharmacological mechanisms of serotonin reuptake inhibitors, in Naranjo CA, Sellers EM (eds): Research Advances in New Psychopharmacological Treatments for Alcoholism. Amsterdam, Elsevier, 1985, p 107–119.
Simpson RS, Lawton DJ, Watt MH, Tiplady B: Effect of zimelidine, a new antidepressant, on appetite and body weight. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2: 96–98, 1981.
Sellers EM, Naranjo CA, Kadlec K: Do serotonin uptake inhibitors decrease smoking? Observations in a group of heavy drinkers. J Clin Psychopharmacol 7: 417–420, 1987.
Naranjo CA, Sellers EM, Wu PH, Lawrin MO: Moderation of ethanol intake: Role of enhanced serotonergic neurotransmission, in Naranjo CA, Sellers EM (eds): Research Advances in New Psychopharmacological Treatments for Alcoholism. Amsterdam, Elsevier, 1985, pp 171–186.
Blundell JE: Serotonin and appetite. Neuropharmacology 23: 1537–1551, 1984.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1989 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Naranjo, C.A., Sellers, E.M. (1989). Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors Attenuate Ethanol Intake in Problem Drinkers. In: Galanter, M. (eds) Recent Developments in Alcoholism. Recent Developments in Alcoholism, vol 7. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1678-5_13
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1678-5_13
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-1680-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-1678-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive