A number of drugs which act as selective serotoni

This paper will look at the use of such drugs in the treatment of alcoholism in women. It will look at which of these drugs is the drug of choice, and also at the effects of continued alcohol use when using these drugs, such as prozac.

Alcoholism and anxiety are related in a number of ways (American Family Physician, 1995). Heavy alcohol consumption is common in patients with anxiety disorders, and anxiety is often associated with relapse of heavy drinking. Treatment of anxiety disorder may improve substance abuse problems. This is true also for depression in alcoholism.

A number of advances in the medical treatment of alcoholism in women have been made over the past decade, especially in the field of neurosciences. Research suggests that there are several neurotransmitter systems involved in alcohol-seeking behavior, most predominantly the serotonin, dopamine, opioid, and gama-aminobutyric acid (GABA) systems. Agents that directly or indirectly affect these neurotransmitter receptors appear to influence drinking behavior positively, although to varying degrees (Litten, 1995).

Until the recent approval of naltrexone, disulfiram (Antabuse), a drug that blocks the oxidation of alcohol and produces extremely unpleasant symptoms with alcohol ingestion, was the only medication approved for treatment of alcoholism (Litten, 1995). In recent ye

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American Family Physician, 1995). The serotonergic system is the focus of a growing number of investigations in the treatment of alcoholism (Litten, 1995). Findings from six trials of serotonin reuptake inhibitors have shown a modest decrease in alcohol consumption among nondepressed alcoholic subjects. These compounds purportedly alter alcohol consumption by enhancing serotonin activity. The effects do not appear to be as great as those produced with naltrexone, but current studies of serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine HCL (Prozac) and setraline HCL (Zoloft) should provide more precise information within the next few years. At the NIAAA, the primary interest is in the subpopulation of alcoholics who have also been diagnosed with major depression. It is hoped that these studies will help to determine whether or not relieving depression will positively affect drinking behavior. Two serotonin (5-HT) blockers are being looked at: the 5-HT.sub.2 antagonists, compounds that block type 2 serotonin receptors; and 5-HT.sub.3 antagonists, which block type 3 receptors (Litten, 1995). A multicenter trial of the 5-HT.sub.2 antagonist, ritanserin, for alcohol treatment is now underway. The agent appears promising i
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Some common words found in the essay are:
San Francisco, Family Physician, Glaudin Painter, Petrakis Krystal, Alcoholism NIAAA, HCL Zoloft, Luvox Serzone, , HCL Zofran, SSRIs Ironically, litten 1995, selective serotonin, serotonin reuptake, alcohol consumption, selective serotonin reuptake, treatment alcoholism, petrakis krystal, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, petrakis krystal 1997, reuptake inhibitors, krystal 1997, american family, serotonin uptake inhibitors, american family physician, little effect,
Approximate Word count = 1576
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)