From the Guidelines
Tegretol (carbamazepine) is not a recommended treatment for alcoholism, as evidenced by its absence as a preferred intervention in the network meta-analysis of treatment interventions to maintain abstinence from alcohol in primary care 1. The study published in the BMJ in 2020 1 compared various interventions for alcohol dependency, including medications and psychosocial treatments, but did not identify carbamazepine as an effective treatment for alcoholism. Key points to consider when treating alcoholism include:
- The use of FDA-approved medications such as naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram, which have proven efficacy in reducing cravings and supporting sobriety.
- The importance of combining medication with counseling or support groups for the best outcomes.
- The potential dangers of combining certain medications, including Tegretol, with alcohol, such as increased side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, and impaired coordination, and potential worsening of liver damage. Some of the effective interventions for alcohol dependency, as reported in the study, include:
- Naltrexone
- Acamprosate
- Disulfiram
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) It is essential to consult a healthcare provider for personalized treatment recommendations, as they can help determine the most appropriate evidence-based treatment approach for individual cases of alcoholism.
From the Research
Tegretol and Alcoholism
There is no direct evidence in the provided studies regarding the use of Tegretol (carbamazepine) in the treatment of alcoholism. However, some studies mention anticonvulsants, including carbamazepine, as possible anti-craving drugs:
- A study published in 2006 2 mentions that anticonvulsants, including carbamazepine and topiramate, have been discussed as possible anti-craving drugs, but there is still limited evidence for their efficacy.
- A study published in 2020 3 mentions that anticonvulsants are of growing interest for the treatment of alcohol use disorder, although currently none are FDA approved for this indication.
Treatment of Alcoholism
The provided studies discuss various medications for the treatment of alcoholism, including:
- Acamprosate: shown to be efficient in improving rates for continuous abstinence and not relapsing to heavy drinking 4, 5, 2
- Naltrexone: shown to be efficient in improving rates for continuous abstinence and not relapsing to heavy drinking 4, 5, 2
- Disulfiram: appeared to be effective only when the intake was supervised 4, and was more effective in reducing heavy drinking days and average weekly alcohol consumption in a supervised setting 5
- Other medications: such as baclofen, a γ-aminobutyric acid B receptor agonist, which received temporary approval for alcohol use disorder in France 3
Physician Opinions and Use of Medications
A study published in 2003 6 examined physicians' opinions about and use of medications to treat alcoholism, and found that:
- Physicians' use of medications to treat alcoholism is limited, with only 13% of patients with alcoholism being prescribed naltrexone, and 9% being prescribed disulfiram
- Physicians identified the need for more research to develop new medications, more education about existing medications, and increased involvement of physicians in alcoholism treatment as ways to increase the use of medications to treat alcohol dependence.