Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine Addiction

By Dr.Fourkan Ali

What it does: An anticonvulsant which reduces cocaine use, makes cocaine cravings easier to overcome and relapses less severe

How it works: Increases brain GABA, a neurotransmitter in the brain that has a calming effect, increasing relaxation and reducing stress and anxiety

Side effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, anxiety, heartburn.
For a more complete list of side effects see this NIH page.

Availability: Physician prescription

Research: Raby Wn. Gabapentin Reduces Cocaine use Among Addicts From a Community Sample. J Clin Psychiatry 2004:65:84-86.

VIGABATRIN (Sabril®)

What it does: An anti epileptic drug which reduces cocaine cravings

How it works: Increases the amount of the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain

Side effects: Sleepiness, dizziness, weaken, muscle pain, nausea, constipation.
For a more complete list of side effects see this NIH page.

Availability: Physician prescription

Research: American Journal of Psychiatry 2009;166:1269-1277. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of vigabatrin for the treatment of cocaine dependence in Mexican parolees. This study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of short term vigabatrin for cocaine dependence.

BACLOFEN (Gablofen®; Lioresal®)

What it does: A muscle relaxant found to curb cocaine cravings and reduce use of cocaine especially in chronic, heavy users

How it works: Increases the amount of GABA in the brain, a neurotransmitter that has a calming and relaxing effect

Side effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, nausea, headache, constipation.
For a more complete list of side effects see this NIH page.

Availability: Physician prescription

N-ACETYLCYSTEINE (NAC)

What it does: An amino acid that curbs cocaine cravings and repairs damage in the brain caused by cocaine use in animals

How it works: Restores glutamate levels to normal in the area of the brain where addiction occurs

Side effects: Gastrointestinal disturbance, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, skin rash
For a more complete list of side effects see this web page.

Availability: Over the counter

For specific suggestions of other amino acids that can lessen cravings see our Nutrition page.

NOCAINE

What it does: Provides a weaker version of cocaine's effects

How it works: Blocks the stimulant effects of cocaine

Side effects: Unknown to us

Availability: Only by participating in research trials

Information about clinical trials on cocaine can be found at ClinicalTrials.gov. Just enter the word cocaine in the "Search Clinical Trials" box.

DISULFIRAM (ANATBUSE)

What it does: It is an anti-alcoholic agent that makes drinking of alcohol or use of cocaine highly unpleasant.

How it works: It increases acetaldehyde in the blood

Side effects: Nausea, vomiting (sometimes very severe, if any alcohol or cocaine is used), rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, confusion and fainting. For a more complete list of side effects see this NIH page.

Sources: Website

dr.fourkanali@gmail.com

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