Expert opinion on investigational drugs
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Alcohol use and dependence are frequent disorders. Despite numerous established psychosocial approaches, relapse to heavy drinking is common in alcohol-dependent patients after detoxification and relapse prevention remains a significant medical challenge. ⋯ Although the number of clinical studies conducted with naltrexone by far exceeds the number conducted with nalmefene, the four studies on nalmefene published so far may indicate a role of this opioid antagonist in the treatment of alcoholism. Results of some ongoing studies on nalmefene will provide additional data on its use for this indication.