Topiramate for Alcohol Treatment?

Question by : Topiramate for alcohol treatment?
so many medication pill for alcohol treatment, and some say topiramate is the best?

Best answer:

Answer by Zach Viva
topiramate is an anticonvulsant often prescribed as a mood stabilizer. It is an off-label use when used to treat bipolar disorder. Unfortunately, its usefulness is likely minimal and side effects, such as significant cognitive impairment, undermine its efficacy

Answer by Mathieu
There are not really that many medications for alcohol dependence. Picking the best one should be done with your physician, ideally a psychiatrist. Depending on your current status (are you still drinking?, are you physically dependent and require detox?, do have have cravings?, have you ever stopped using before and relapsed?)

There are three major drugs to help people with a drinking problem ReVia (naltrexone), Campral (acamprosate), and Topamax (topiramate). Of the three only ReVia and Campral are FDA approved to help avoid drinking alcohol again although Topamax has shown promising evidence. Vivitrol is also available in The US, it is an extended-release from of naltrexone injected once a month that increases compliance by not requiring taking a pill daily.

I wish I could tell you what the best drug is but it simply is not possible. Each may be more helpful depending, as I said, on your situation. Also the drugs have different types of side effects- Topamax is often sedating, it can blunt your cognitive process, and it can cause a bit of weight loss.

Also a pill is rarely enough. It is important to get some form of counseling and social support. For some people they like AA, others use other programmes, some do group therapy, individual therapy, inpatient substance abuse treatment, and out patient treatment.

Success rate is best when a medication AND counseling and social support are all used.

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